Lewisham Council is seeking the Government’s approval to launch a crackdown on rogue landlords. 

The council wants to tighten up the rules for the private rental sector through a borough-wide licensing scheme.  

One of its plans include binning the 24-hour period before an inspection when breaches are suspected. 

National guidelines already see landlords apply for a licence to rent buildings with five or more tenants who are not from one household, and who share kitchen, bathroom and toilet. 

Lewisham previously extended the regulations, making landlords also need licences to let multiple-occupant rentals above shops.

But according to the council, some landlords illegally evict tenants or claim they are from the same family in order to get around the rules. 

If the borough-wide licensing scheme is approved it would mean that all privately rented properties would be licensable and HMO landlords will have to shell out £500 per “lettable unit”.  

The changes would also mean private landlords will have to pay £640 per property they let to a single household or two unrelated people.  

But the National Landlords Association argues that a more targeted approach should be used as those complying with the law are unfairly penalised.  

In a recent response to Brent Council being refused an extension to its selective licensing scheme, a spokesperson said: “Councils should ensure that licensing is targeted so that it can drive out rogue landlords who undercut the market and put lives at risk by letting out properties that are unfit for people to live in.  

“However, these efforts should not be funded on the backs of landlords who are compliant with legislation and are providing much needed accommodation.” 

Lewisham's cabinet member for housing, Cllr Paul Bell, said the council “recognised the contribution decent landlords make” in the borough. 

But he added: “Self-regulation sometimes allows poor practice to undermine the good name of all landlords.

“Our scheme, backed by an extensive and robust data collection exercise will not only protect renters but it will also support good landlords.”

Only 10 per cent of all HMOs and less than two per cent of all properties in the private sector in Lewisham are covered by its current schemes.  

“In Lewisham, we know that the vast majority of landlords take their responsibilities to their tenants seriously and provide decent, well-maintained and well-managed homes.  

“However, it is also the case that there are widespread issues of poor housing conditions, housing hazards, disrepair and incidences of antisocial behaviour within the PRS.  

“In addition, there are a small number of criminal landlords who rent out accommodation that is not safe,” according to a report on the proposals.  

HMOs account for 20 per cent of the 32,000 private rental properties in Lewisham.  

The new rules would include “clearly defining unlicensed properties as an offence”, improving engagement with landlords, bringing all properties in the private sector under licensing, and allowing the council to raise enough funds to support the plans.  

Most HMO landlords did not support the proposals during consultation, while the majority of the public who responded did.  

The council needs backing from the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government to bring in the new licensing rules.  

Mayor and cabinet are set to approve the move on March 11.