The London borough of Merton's council has opened a public consultation on plans to bring in private rented sector property licensing across 7 its wards. Although the council already requires, under mandatory HMO licensing rules, it is now proposing to start using selective licensing covering single household rented properties, to bring in additional licensing to cover smaller HMO properties and also to require any conversion of a property into an HMO, of whatever size, to first be granted planning permission from the council - known as an Article 4 direction.

Selective licensing will apply only to the 4 wards of Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton and Pollards Hill whilst additional licensing and the article 4 direction will apply to those wards as well as the 3 wards of Colliers Wood, Cricket Green and Lavender Fields. By introducing these measures the council aims to improve conditions in the PRS sector, reduce significant and persistent anti-social behaviour and increase the number of good landlords whilst reducing the numbers of rogue landlords. These aims will be consistent with the 3 overarching themes of wider council ambitions to build pride in the borough: clean streets and environment; sustainable future and hight streets and communities.

The background data supporting the council's proposal on selective licensing shows that the 4 chosen wards produce the highest number of Category 1 hazards, the most complaints about anti-social behaviour private rented sector and the most general property related complaints. The borough has an estimated 29,181 PRS properties and this tenure representing 34% of the current housing stock in the area - the council says that this is an increase of 37% since the 2011 census.

The council will publish, during the week commencing 27th November, details of virtual and in-person forum meetings for landlords and agents as well as workshops for stakeholder organisations.

The public consultation closes on 22nd January 2022 and can be accessed here along with supporting documentation.

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