Council makes use of new power to introduce borough-wide selective licensing scheme without need for government approval
Barking and Dagenham Council will introduce a new selective licensing scheme in April to improve the management and quality of private rental homes across the borough, after taking advantage of a change in legislation – announced in the English Devolution White Paper – that empowers councils to implement larger licensing schemes without seeking government approval.
The council said it had been waiting for the Secretary of State’s approval for a proposed scheme covering more than 20% of the borough.
However, the new general approval, which came into effect on 23 December 2024, allows councils to introduce schemes of any size independently.
The London borough’s revised scheme, when introduced on 6 April 2025, means that all landlords in Barking and Dagenham must obtain a licence to rent out their properties.
The scheme will replace the council’s previous initiative, which ended in the Summer of last year.
The private rented sector now accounts for nearly a third of all homes in the borough.
“It provides essential housing for many vulnerable residents and families, but it continues to face challenges, including deprivation, antisocial behaviour, and substandard housing conditions,” Barking & Dagenham said.
“These issues have been exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Properties requiring a licence will be inspected before a licence is issued, and discounted fees will be available for landlords who demonstrate best practice.
Cllr Syed Ghani, Barking & Dagenham’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “Property licensing is an important tool that allows us to ensure landlords in the borough provide good quality homes for their tenants and tackle unscrupulous practices.
“I’m really pleased that the scheme has been approved for the whole borough, and I’m encouraged that so many residents expressed their support during the consultation.”
The council’s new Additional Licensing Scheme meanwhile came into force on 9 January. This means smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), housing three or four people and currently outside the scope of mandatory licensing, must now also be licensed.
Harry Rodd
