Wandsworth Council has carried out 110 inspections and served 40 notices to landlords since launching its licensing schemes in July.
The London council has received over 3,400 license applications, including more than 1,900 for additional licensing (affecting 3+bed HMOs) and over 1,500 for selective licensing in Balham South, Furzedown, Tooting Bec, and Tooting Broadway.
Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “These inspections show why licensing matters. The message is clear: unsafe rentals will not be tolerated.
“These new landlord licencing 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.”
Wandworth Council posted examples of cases where it’s intervened, many of which involved fire risks.
For example one Putney property lacked fire and heat alarms, while another had a spiral staircase opening to the living room which posed significant escape risks.
Wandsworth Council has told landlords to alter their properties, and will carry out follow-up inspections to make sure they do.
Landlords who operate without suitable licenses could face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000.
In such cases tenants may be eligible to reclaim 12 months’ rent, housing benefit or universal credit.