Waltham Forest Council has announced the extension of both its additional and selective licensing schemes. The additional licensing scheme, set to cover the entire borough as its predecessor did, will run from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2030. Despite the importance of this extension, the announcement has been quietly published, with little effort to inform landlords and letting agents—an issue that has sparked concern among industry professionals.

The official designation for the extended additional licensing scheme was made on July 18, 2024. However, nearly two months later, the council has not widely communicated this decision, leaving many unaware of the upcoming changes. The information is currently buried within the council’s consultation announcements, with the additional licensing webpage not slated for an update until May 2025—after the new scheme has already commenced.

Kamma’s analysis of the Mayor of London rogue landlord database reveals that Waltham Forest have issued £876,400 in fines related to unlicensed properties in 2024 alone, making it the leading local authority in London for financial penalties. Despite this robust enforcement, there is growing frustration among landlords and letting agents over the lack of clarity and communication from councils. A recent poll conducted by Kamma revealed that nearly 70% of landlords and letting agents struggle to determine whether their properties fall within a licensing scheme, with over 90% criticising councils for failing to effectively publicise upcoming schemes and regulatory changes.

Orla Shields, CEO of Kamma, highlighted the importance of timely communication, stating, “The rigorous enforcement by Waltham Forest is commendable and sets a high standard for improving housing conditions. However, this progress is undermined by the council’s failure to adequately inform stakeholders about upcoming licensing changes.

“While Kamma provides essential reports to letting agents about how regulations affect their properties, this responsibility should primarily lie with the council. By not properly communicating these changes, councils risk reinforcing the perception that licensing is merely a cash grab, rather than a genuine effort to enhance housing standards.”