Southwark Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Southwark? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Southwark and how to apply for a licence.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
What are the licensing requirements for Southwark?
Mandatory licensing in Southwark
Mandatory licensing is required in Southwark if your rented property is occupied by five or more people who form more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Southwark?
Additional licensing requires that all HMO properties with three or more people from more one than one household obtain a licence. Additional licensing can be introduced at a specific area at the council’s discretion.
Southwark Council operates one additional licensing scheme, covering the entire borough. The scheme runs from the 1st March 2022 until 28th February 2027.
Do I need a selective licence in Southwark?
Selective licensing requires that all privately rented properties in a given area obtain a licence, regardless of the numbers of occupants or households formed.
Southwark council operates two selective licensing schemes. The details of the two selective schemes are as follows:
- Southwark selective licensing scheme 1: Covers the wards of Newington, Champion Hill, Faraday, St Giles, and Goose Green. The scheme runs from the 1st March 2022 until 28th February 2027
- Southwark selective licensing scheme 2: Covers the wards of North Walworth, Nunhead & Queens Road, Old Kent Road, Peckham, Camberwell Green, Chaucer, Dulwich Hill, Dulwich Wood, London Bridge & West Bermondsey, Peckham Rye, Rotherhithe, Rye Lane, South Bermondsey and Surrey Docks. The scheme runs from 1st November 2023 until 31st October 2028
How do I apply for a licence?
Southwark Council has an online HMO licensing application process accessible here. For Kamma users, we offer a licence application service for Southwark. Get in touch with us here to find out more.
How much does a license cost?
Mandatory licence fee: £1500 (+£100 per every unit over five occupants)
Additional licence fee: £1,300
Selective licence fee: £900
These fees are subject to change and are accurate as of 5th August 2024
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What happens if I don't get a licence in Southwark?
Ignoring the law could result in prosecution by Southwark Council, fines, court costs, and more. Ensure you comply with all regulations to avoid these risks. Fines for non-compliant agents can be up to £30,000 per non-compliant property, as well as rent repayment orders of up to 12 months.
If you’re concerned about unlicensed properties in your portfolio, book a free consultation today with one of our consultants to get a property licensing check here. By keeping your properties in line with your region’s licensing requirements, you can maintain peace of mind that you won’t get burnt by non-compliance.
Frequently asked questions:
Is Southwark council planning on introducing any new licensing schemes?
Southwark Council is not currently consulting on or planning to implement any new licensing schemes
Why has additional licensing in Southwark been introduced?
Southwark Council introduced additional licensing to address significant challenges within smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that were not covered by the mandatory HMO licensing scheme. The council identified that a substantial portion (86.3%) of these properties exhibited hazards that posed serious risks to the health, safety, and welfare of occupants, including issues related to fire safety, disrepair, and overcrowding.
The additional licensing scheme aims to ensure that landlords of these properties adhere to proper management practices and safety standards, as poor management often leads to neglect of tenant complaints and a failure to comply with housing regulations. During the previous licensing period, the council intervened in 2,922 cases involving properties with additional licences, highlighting ongoing issues such as poor conditions and antisocial behaviour (ASB). By implementing additional licensing, Southwark Council seeks to improve housing conditions, enhance tenant safety, and enforce compliance among landlords of smaller HMOs
Why has selective licensing in Southwark been introduced?
Southwark Council introduced selective licensing to tackle issues in the rapidly growing private rented sector (PRS), which now comprises nearly a third of all housing in the borough. This growth has led to widespread poor housing conditions, with about 8,497 privately rented properties in Southwark having at least one serious hazard, such as fire risks and dampness.
There is also a high incidence of antisocial behaviour linked to the PRS, exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate property management. Many wards in Southwark suffer from significant deprivation, affecting residents’ access to affordable housing. Selective licensing aims to address these challenges by creating a regulatory framework that ensures landlords maintain safety and management standards, reduces antisocial behaviour, and alleviates housing-related deprivation, thereby improving the overall living conditions for tenants.
What is Southwark Council's Housing Enforcement Policy?
Southwark Council’s enforcement strategy prioritises formal action under the Housing Act 2004 for serious hazards but initially seeks informal resolutions in less severe cases. It targets unlicensed or poorly managed properties, those with antisocial behaviour issues, and buildings with low energy efficiency, among others. The policy also emphasises transparency and accountability, detailing the processes for inspections, statutory notices, penalties, and prosecutions. Additionally, it highlights the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, such as landlords, tenant groups, and other regulatory bodies, to foster compliance and improve housing conditions
About Southwark
Southwark is an inner borough of London, located south of the River Thames and opposite the central City of London. It encompasses historic areas and villages like Rotherhithe, Bermondsey, and Camberwell. Formed in 1965 from the amalgamation of Bermondsey, Camberwell, and Southwark boroughs, it mostly belongs to historic Surrey, with a small eastern section in Kent. Known as The Borough, Southwark was a market town and a mediaeval refuge for outlaws. From the 15th century, it gained fame for inns, theatres like the Globe, and Dickensian associations. Notable landmarks include Dulwich College, Tate Modern, and the Shard. Southwark covers an area of 11 square miles (29 square km) and had a population of 244,866 in 2001, which increased to 288,283 by 2011.
