Southwark Council has given the go-ahead for the introduction of a new licensing scheme, which could see landlords across the borough pay for a licence. The move, approved at a virtual cabinet meeting last week, is designed to clampdown on rogue landlords who provide “unsafe and substandard” accommodation.

The fee could start from £900 for a licence and up to £1,310 for HMOs, plus £60 per room if the property has more than five rooms. Landlords in the area currently only need a licence if the property is within small designated areas in the borough.

Cllr Victoria Mills, cabinet member for finance, performance, and Brexit, commented: “Southwark council believes that every resident should have a warm, dry and safe place to call home and is firmly committed to driving up standards in the private rented sector, which now makes up a third of the housing in our borough.

“To underline our commitment that everyone should have a good quality home no matter who their landlord is, we are seeking to renew and expand our existing housing licensing schemes.”