London Borough of Redbridge: 12 Ward Selective Licensing Application

Cllr Farah Hussain Cabinet Member for Housing

Town Hall,128-142 High Rd, Ilford IG1 1DD Please ask for: Cllr Farah Hussain Direct line: 020 8708 2040 Heather Wheeler MP [email protected] Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Date: 22 May 2018 (Minister for Housing and Homelessness) Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street Westminster London SW1P 4DF

Dear Mrs Wheeler

Re: LONDON BOROUGH OF REDBRIDGE: 12 WARD SELECTIVE LICENSING APPLICATION

We the undersigned are writing in support of the recent application from the London Borough of Redbridge to extend the selective licensing scheme to include a further twelve wards across the Borough.

Redbridge is experiencing significant and persistent levels of crime, housing deprivation, poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour directly linked to the private rented sector. Expansion of the selective licensing scheme in other parts of the Borough will give the Council much more control through licensing conditions. The reduction in crime, poor housing and antisocial behaviour will improve the health and quality of life not only for the tenants affected but for all Redbridge residents.

Ultimately approval of this proposal will allow the Council to identify who is responsible for a property and deal proactively with poor standards of accommodation in wards where it is likely to have the greatest impact.

Redbridge is surrounded by other London Boroughs such a Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Waltham Forest who have all implemented selective licensing. Approval of the scheme is the only option to deter rogue landlords and criminals displaced by other boroughs from thinking that it is ok to flout the law in Redbridge.

We the supporters are calling on the Government to approve the Redbridge scheme and continue to ensure that local authorities are empowered to combat rogue landlords and housing crime and in doing so improve access to a decent standard of private rented accommodation for all. Please do not let rogue landlords off the hook. We urge you to approve the Redbridge scheme. It is the right decision for Redbridge.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Farah Hussain Cabinet Member For Housing and Homelessness London Borough of Redbridge www.redbridge.gov.uk Additional signatories include:

Jas Athwal Leader, Redbridge Council

Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South

Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North

Greg Beales Director of Communications, Policy and Campaigns Shelter UK

Daniel Wilson Craw Director, Generation Rent

John Clifton, Captain, The Salvation Army Ilford, on behalf of Redbridge Citizens