Public consultation on Tower Hamlets’ landlord license scheme to cover flat share tenants

Plans to expand a landlord licensing scheme run by Tower Hamlets Council to give renters sharing a flat or house better tenancy security are going out for public consultation.

The scheme would give tenants in the East End’s estimated 9,000 multiple-occupancy properties legal rights on maintenance and repairs, what facilities are provided and protection when complaining about landlord service.

“Some landlords let-out properties that are overcrowded, unclean or unsafe,” deputy mayor Sirajul Islam said.

“It’s unacceptable for people to be living in places that are cramped and overcrowded, or have fire-risks and poor or inadequate amenities.

“This would allow us to act against landlords who put tenants at risk.”

The council already runs a licensing scheme for rented property in Spitalfields, Whitechapel and Bethnal Green. Another across the whole borough covers properties of three or more storeys with five or more tenants from two or more households.

Now a proposed third scheme would make all landlords legally responsible to identify themselves to the council, to declare their property and any management arrangements.

The online consultation is running until May 24. Four drop-in consultations from 6.30 to 8.30pm are also being held at the Professional Development Centre in Bethnal Green Road on March 15, at Canary Wharf Idea Store in Churchill Place on March 28, at Bow Idea Store off Roman Road on April 12 and at Tower Hamlets Council Chambers in Mulberry Place, by East India Dock DLR, on April 23.

Multiple occupations are defined as flats and houses let to at least three people from two different households who share an amenity such as a kitchen or bathroom. They also include buildings not entirely converted to self-contained flats or those converted but not owner-occupied.