Wandsworth Council in South London is taking decisive action against irresponsible landlords who rent out dangerous properties with serious safety hazards. The local authority has implemented robust new licensing schemes that give them enhanced powers to inspect rental homes and take swift action when standards aren't met.
New licensing requirements for landlords
Since the borough-wide initiative launched in July, Wandsworth Council has received over 3,400 licence applications from property owners. This includes more than 1,900 applications for Additional Licensing and over 1,500 for Selective Licensing.
All landlords operating in the borough are now required to sign up to the council's new licensing scheme to legally rent out their properties. The scheme specifically targets Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Private Rented Sector properties in several areas including Balham South, Furzedown, Tooting Bec, and Tooting Broadway.
Dangerous properties uncovered during inspections
Council inspections have already revealed numerous properties with serious safety defects that put tenants at risk. More than 110 inspections have taken place, resulting in over 40 formal notices being served to landlords who failed to meet basic safety standards.
One particularly concerning case involved a property in Putney intended for three tenants. Inspectors discovered a dangerously undersized bedroom and found the property lacked essential fire safety features including proper fire doors and heat alarms. The council issued a legal notice requiring immediate improvements, and the landlord agreed to install compliant fire doors, alarms, and remove obstructions from escape routes.
Another two-storey home featured a spiral staircase open to the living room, creating serious escape risks in an emergency. After consulting with the London Fire Brigade, the council warned the landlord that unless structural changes were made, the property could be deemed unfit for HMO licensing.
A separate six-bedroom property was found to lack adequate fire doors and had a faulty basement door located near utility meters, prompting council intervention to ensure necessary safety upgrades were completed.
Gold Standard recognition for responsible landlords
While cracking down on substandard rentals, the council has also introduced a new 'Gold Standard' initiative to recognise and reward good landlords who exceed basic legal and tenancy requirements.
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council's Cabinet member for Housing, emphasised the importance of the new measures: "These inspections show why licensing matters. The message is clear: unsafe rentals will not be tolerated. These new landlord licensing schemes give us more robust powers to inspect and intervene in cases where landlords are not living up to their duties, providing renters with more support and protecting their rights."
The council will continue to monitor compliance and conduct follow-up inspections to ensure all required remedial works meet the necessary standards. Landlords operating without suitable licences could face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000, while tenants may be eligible to reclaim up to 12 months' rent, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit if an offence is committed.
