A London council’s recent advertising campaign promoting landlord licensing on the Tube network has drawn criticism for its timing and the usability of its online application forms. Wandsworth Council’s push to extend selective licensing schemes coincides with the imminent expiry of an early bird fee discount, while landlords report frustration with the design and functionality of the application portal.

Wandsworth Council’s selective licensing expansion

Wandsworth Council has confirmed plans to broaden its landlord licensing schemes to enhance tenant protection across the borough. Currently, all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and privately rented homes in South Balham, Furzedown, Tooting Bec, and Tooting Broadway fall under licensing requirements. Landlords were offered an early bird fee reduction until 31 December 2025.

From 1 April 2026, the licensing framework will extend to include any privately rented property in East Putney, West Putney, and Northcote, regardless of property size or number of occupants. This expansion means more landlords must apply for licences to comply with the new regulations.

Advertising campaign criticised for timing

The council’s recent Tube advertising campaign promoting landlord licensing has been questioned by landlords for its timing, appearing just days before the early bird discount deadline. One Property118 reader, Richard, remarked on the coincidence, suggesting the adverts may be intended to prompt last-minute applications.

Richard also criticised the online application portal, describing it as a “clumsily adapted version” of a previous HMO licensing form. He noted that the system appears to be a recycled platform, now repurposed to handle both selective licensing for single households and families, alongside additional HMO licensing for smaller shared homes.

Usability issues with the online application form

Landlords have reported several frustrations with the design and functionality of the Wandsworth licensing application form. The accommodation section begins with a confusing request labelled ‘Room Name Area’, which simply asks applicants to name each room. Richard suggested a drop-down menu would be more user-friendly.

Navigation issues further complicate the process. When adding multiple rooms, users must scroll back up the page to find the ‘Add’ button, which is positioned above previous entries. Richard bluntly commented: “The likely English-as-a-second-language programmers seemingly couldn’t figure out how to put ‘Add’ at the end where it belongs.”

Additionally, the forms lack clarity on household definitions, particularly regarding what happens if occupants form couples and fall below the threshold for additional HMO licensing. Richard questioned whether councils expect landlords to inquire about occupants’ personal relationships, highlighting the impracticality of such requirements.

Problems with document uploads

Another significant issue concerns the uploading of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Although EPCs are publicly available on a national register, the licensing portal requires a PDF upload. However, the certificate can only be viewed on screen without an option to download it as a PDF.

Richard advised landlords to use the print function and select ‘print to PDF’ to save the certificate locally before uploading it manually. This workaround is necessary due to the portal’s limitations and adds an extra step to the application process.

Enforcement and landlord responsibilities

Since the launch of Wandsworth’s licensing scheme in July, the council has received 5,955 licence applications. Enforcement activity is underway, with 444 inspections completed and 85 notices issued where safety standards were not met.

Landlords operating without the correct licence face prosecution or financial penalties of up to £30,000. Tenants living in unlicensed properties may also reclaim up to 12 months’ rent, including Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, if an offence has been committed.

The scheme also introduces a Gold Standard to recognise landlords who exceed minimum legal and tenancy requirements, encouraging higher standards across the private rented sector.

Implications for landlords and agents

The expansion of selective licensing in Wandsworth reflects a growing trend among local authorities to regulate the private rented sector more closely. Landlords and agents should familiarise themselves with the new requirements and ensure timely licence applications to avoid penalties.

The reported shortcomings of the online application system highlight the need for landlords to prepare for potential administrative challenges. Understanding the form’s quirks and preparing necessary documents in advance can help streamline the process.

TLA update

The Landlord Association (TLA) is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. Legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers are invited to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/