Ealing Council have decided to introduce a licensing system for private rented properties from 3rd January 2023. 

This new scheme will mean that anyone who owns or manages a private rented property will need to obtain a licence to ensure that all landlords adhere to certain conditions. 

This decision follows a public consultation during 2021 and was formally ratified by the cabinet on 8th December 2021, and a smaller selective licensing scheme was brought in in April and this was then agreed by the council to be expanded in June. 

The application process involves key details about the property and then the landlord will face a fit and proper person's test, which looks at things like: any criminal offences, any unlawful discrimination, any contravention of the law relating to housing or landlord and tenant law, whether the person has a 'banning order' in place under section 16 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, and if any person in the management has a sufficient level of competence to be involved. 

There will be a public register of all licensed properties in the borough, and detail of the license holder and manager will appear on this register, an appointment to view this can be made via email. 

Further information about the scheme and how to apply can be found on the council website.