A London council is to prepare a new licensing system after receiving 91 complaints in the last two years about home owners renting out their properties on short lets for more than the maximum of 90 days a year.
Kensington & Chelsea council is considering a pilot licensing scheme which would involve requiring anyone letting a house or flat for short lets to apply for a licence at an unspecified cost.
They would have to comply with a set of rules and take responsibility for the antisocial behaviour of paying guests.
There have been reports of high-end London homes being used for “pay parties” advertised on social media, prostitution, and drug storage and dealing.
The move comes ahead of government action on the issue.
Non-compliance with licence conditions could result in fixed penalty notices of up to £30,000 “for more severe issues”, according to the Evening Standard.
Malcolm Spalding, chairman of the council working group set up to investigate the issue, said: “Many Londoners have found, in common with residents of other global cities, that the increase in short-term holiday lettings has coincided with an increase in antisocial behaviour and the deterioration of the neighbourhood environment, and in addition to this, local businesses have raised concerns about the impacts.
“Concerns have also been expressed in many cities with a large number of short-term lettings about the consequent loss of permanent residential accommodation.”
Currently it is legal to rent out a property for up to 90 days per year without the need for any red tape.
Anyone who wants to use their property for short lets for more than 90 days must apply for planning permission from their local council and could be liable for fines of up to £20,000 for breaching the rules.
Be it short or long term, Private Landlords MUST be licenced and be subject to exactly the same regulation as an agent needs to be; it’s the only way forward if standards and not going to slip…and mark my words slip they will.
Most Landlords are well briefed, educate themselves and carry out correct practice. Exactly like most agents. Unfortunately the rogue element in agents means we all suffer the consequences. The same has to apply for Landlords too. Most importantly this has to be religiously policed. It seems to me that Local Government involvement is inevitable..
Without seeming too alarmist, the safety of Tenants will be compromised if Landlord’s are allowed to operate without a licence….one Tenant death because the government has failed too implement regulation across the whole of the PRS, is one too many….. when will the penny drop?!
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