Slough Borough Council has launched two public consultations regarding the licensing of rented properties in the town.

Earlier on this year, new legislation relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) was implemented and now the council has reviewed its approach to property licensing.

The council has stated that it is committed to ‘making sure private rented properties offer residents a choice of safe, quality and well managed accommodation’ amid lingering concerns around levels of anti-social behaviour and overcrowding.

The Council is proposing two new licensing schemes it hopes will tackle these issues that would allow the council to focus action against landlords who ignore their responsibilities while providing light touch regulation for landlords who are compliant.

The first proposal, known as the ‘Borough-wide additional licensing scheme’, would cover all small houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) not covered by mandatory licensing. For example, properties forming two or more households, but with fewer than five people, sharing some basic facilities.

The second proposal, the ‘Targeted selective licensing scheme’ would require the majority of properties rented to single households or two unrelated people in the Central and Chalvey wards to be licensed.

Landlords across the borough are being encouraged to read the full series of documents that support and expand on the consultation on the Slough Borough Council website.

Councillor Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing, said: “One in three Slough residents live in privately rented accommodation and we believe effective licensing schemes provide an effective policy framework to properly regulate and control the private rental sector, driving out rogue landlords and protecting the borough’s tenants.

“Slough’s private rented sector typically provides the lowest quality accommodation and we believe stronger licensing schemes will help to raise standards.

“This is an important consultation that can make real, positive improvements to the private rented sector. I encourage residents to take the time to understand the schemes being put forward and then have their say on our proposals.”