Report attached.

Report Title: Private Sector Housing Enforcement Scheme.  New designations for Additional Licensing for Housing of Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council obo Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Cabinet:

2.1       Considered and noted the evidence supporting the implementation of Additional HMO and Selective Licensing schemes as detailed in the Scheme Implementation Evidence Report (Appendix 1).

2.2       Considered the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Report (Appendix 2), the representations received and the Council’s consideration and response to these representations (Appendix 3).

2.3       Noted that the document to support undertaking this public consultation (consultation evidence pack) (Appendix 4) and Housing Conditions and Stressors Report (Appendix 5) highlight the scale of problems arising from  poorly managed private rented properties, identifies the objectives that the proposed licensing schemes would help the Council achieve and alternatives to licensing which have been considered.

2.4       Upon consideration of the matters at (2.1) and (2.2) and using its powers under s.56 Housing Act 2004, agreed to designate a new Additional Licensing area of the whole of the London Borough of Havering from 18/03/2026 as delineated and edged in red on the map in the draft designation in Appendix 6 for a five-year period. (The designation will be finalised ahead of publication).

2.5       Upon consideration of the matters at (2.1) and (2.2) and using its powers under s.80 Housing Act 2004, agreed to designate a new Selective Licensing area in the seven ward areas of Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans and St Edwards and  from 18/03/2026 as delineated and shaded in red on the map in the draft designation in Appendix 7 for a five-year period. (The designation will be finalised ahead of publication).

2.6       Agreed to the proposed licensing scheme objectives as set out in Appendix 8.

2.7       Agreed the proposed additional HMO licensing conditions that would accompany any granted HMO licence as set out in Appendix 9.

2.8       Agreed the proposed selective licence conditions that would accompany any granted selective licence as set out in Appendix 10.

2.9       Agreed that the proposed fee structure for licence applications made under the additional and selective licensing schemes at Appendix 11.

2.10    Considered and noted the result of the Equality and Health Impact Assessment in Appendix 12.

2.11    Subject to the agreement of recommendations 2.4 and 2.5 above, delegated to the Director of Planning and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Environment and where appropriate the Deputy Director of Legal and Governance, to:

a. Agree any minor changes to the proposed implementation and delivery of the schemes including administration and changes to licence fees and conditions where necessary

b. ensure all statutory notifications are carried out in the prescribed manner for the licensing designation

2.12    Agreed to delegate to the Director of Planning and Public Protection in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to approve the carry forward of any surplus or deficits to the established ring-fenced trading account each financial year for both schemes as and when necessary.

Report Title: Private Sector Housing Enforcement Scheme.  New designations for Additional Licensing for Housing of Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing

Presented by: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council obo Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Environment

Summary:

1.1.      In 2018 and 2021 the Council introduced additional HMO licensing schemes to ensure safety standards of tenants living in smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and also a selective licensing scheme which extended licensing to all private rented properties in three wards. These schemes expire on 24 January 2026.

1.2.      On 11 April 2025, Council agreed the decision to launch a statutory consultation seeking stakeholders’ views on proposals to introduce a new boroughwide additional HMO licensing scheme and a selective licensing scheme of all other private rented accommodation in seven wards in the borough.

1.3.      An extensive public consultation, with landlords, tenants, residents, stakeholders and other interested parties started on the14 April 2025 and ran for 12 weeks, concluding on 6 July 2025. The council used digital and print media to advertise the consultation, as well as in-person methods.

1.4.      The main feedback method was via an online or paper questionnaire. The Council also hosted two virtual public meetings with landlords, tenants, residents, and landlord groups. 403 individuals or organisations completed the online or postal questionnaire. Qualitative feedback was received at deliberative meetings with interested groups and from written responses from interested parties. In summary it was found that residents (including private tenants) and businesses were in favour of the schemes and landlords letting or managing agents less in favour. Of those who returned the questionnaire 55% were residents or local businesses, 43% were landlords or agents and 2% were other stakeholders.

1.5.      The consultation looked at the level of support for introducing additional HMO and selective licensing schemes, and looked at views on the proposed licence conditions, fees, scheme objectives and the respondents’ perceptions on the issues affecting poor property conditions and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the borough.

1.6.      The findings of the consultation exercise are provided in the consultation report (Appendix 2).

1.7.      This report makes recommendations in relation to designating a new additional HMO licensing scheme to the whole area of the borough and a selective licensing scheme in the seven ward areas of Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans and St Edwards with effect from 01 February 2026.

Cabinet:

2.1       Considered and noted the evidence supporting the implementation of Additional HMO and Selective Licensing schemes as detailed in the Scheme Implementation Evidence Report (Appendix 1).

2.2       Considered the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Report (Appendix 2), the representations received and the Council’s consideration and response to these representations (Appendix 3).

2.3       Noted that the document to support undertaking this public consultation (consultation evidence pack) (Appendix 4) and Housing Conditions and Stressors Report (Appendix 5) highlight the scale of problems arising from  poorly managed private rented properties, identifies the objectives that the proposed licensing schemes would help the Council achieve and alternatives to licensing which have been considered.

2.4       Upon consideration of the matters at (2.1) and (2.2) and using its powers under s.56 Housing Act 2004, agreed to designate a new Additional Licensing area of the whole of the London Borough of Havering from 18/03/2026 as delineated and edged in red on the map in the draft designation in Appendix 6 for a five-year period. (The designation will be finalised ahead of publication).

2.5       Upon consideration of the matters at (2.1) and (2.2) and using its powers under s.80 Housing Act 2004, agreed to designate a new Selective Licensing area in the seven ward areas of Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham & Wennington, Rush Green & Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans and St Edwards and  from 18/03/2026 as delineated and shaded in red on the map in the draft designation in Appendix 7 for a five-year period. (The designation will be finalised ahead of publication).

2.6       Agreed to the proposed licensing scheme objectives as set out in Appendix 8.

2.7       Agreed the proposed additional HMO licensing conditions that would accompany any granted HMO licence as set out in Appendix 9.

2.8       Agreed the proposed selective licence conditions that would accompany any granted selective licence as set out in Appendix 10.

2.9       Agreed that the proposed fee structure for licence applications made under the additional and selective licensing schemes at Appendix 11.

2.10    Considered and noted the result of the Equality and Health Impact Assessment in Appendix 12.

2.11    Subject to the agreement of recommendations 2.4 and 2.5 above, delegated to the Director of Planning and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Environment and where appropriate the Deputy Director of Legal and Governance, to:

a. Agree any minor changes to the proposed implementation and delivery of the schemes including administration and changes to licence fees and conditions where necessary

b. ensure all statutory notifications are carried out in the prescribed manner for the licensing designation

2.12    Agreed to delegate to the Director of Planning and Public Protection in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer to approve the carry forward of any surplus or deficits to the established ring-fenced trading account each financial year for both schemes as and when necessary.