Brent Council has implemented one of the most comprehensive landlord licensing schemes in England, with nearly all privately rented properties in the borough now requiring a licence following the introduction of its latest regulations on 2 February.
The expansion brings smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) housing three or four people under regulatory control for the first time. Combined with existing mandatory and selective licensing schemes, only properties in Wembley Park ward remain exempt from licensing requirements.
Data-driven enforcement approach
The council has developed a central database that cross-references ownership and management information with council tax records, housing benefit data and other property datasets to identify unlicensed rentals. This proactive approach differs from the complaint-led enforcement methods used by most local authorities.
Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing, stated: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe, secure and well-maintained home. With this new scheme now in effect, all landlords in Brent must meet clear legal standards for the letting and management of their properties.”
She added that “Brent is one of the leading local authorities in the country for licensing enforcement” and urged unlicensed landlords to apply immediately to avoid penalties.
Financial penalties for non-compliance
Landlords operating without the required licences face prosecution, civil fines of up to £30,000 per offence, and rent repayment orders. The council’s enforcement team can directly target properties flagged by the database system rather than waiting for tenant complaints.
The near-blanket licensing coverage represents a significant regulatory expansion in the borough’s private rental sector, affecting thousands of smaller shared properties previously outside the scope of HMO regulations. Landlords must now demonstrate compliance with legal standards for property letting and management across most of Brent.
