High Court rejects legal bid against Croydon’s landlord licensing scheme

The new scheme will see any private landlord renting a property without a license fined up to £20,000, while anyone breaking license conditions will face fines up to £5,000.

The Croydon Property Forum, which is comprised of an anonymous group of landlords, brought the legal challenge against the Council under the grounds that they did not take ‘reasonable steps’ to consult before approving the scheme.

Judge Sir Stephen Silber QC refused Croydon Property Forum’s application for a judicial review, and the licensing scheme will be launched on 1 October.

Cllr Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning, said: “We always maintained that our landlord licensing scheme was robust and lawful, so we’re very pleased to hear the High Court has found in our favour.

“This scheme is important because raising housing standards and tackling antisocial behaviour is crucial to making Croydon a better place to live.

“We’ll continue to prepare for the licence’s launch on 1 October, and urge any landlords who haven’t yet taken advantage of our early bird discount fee to join the thousand who have.”

Read more