Tenants could end up "harassed and hounded" as a new scheme will force landlords to make monthly property inspections.

Landlords will be forced to make monthly inspections of their tenant’s homes thanks to Harrow Council’s selective licensing scheme which will be introduced in November.

The new scheme, which aims to ensure properties are kept to a high standard, also means that both landlord and tenants will have to allow the council to undertake compliance checks on receipt of just 24 hours’ notice.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) is warning that some of the licence conditions will lead to tenants feeling harassed and hounded in their homes, and it has branded the conditions unacceptable and unfair for landlords.

Gavin Dick, local authority policy officer, said: “The Council has the powers it needs to deal with anti-social behaviour in the borough but instead of allocating funding for enforcement they’ve passed the buck by putting the responsibility onto landlords.

“While we agree that private rented properties must be kept up to standard, the Council’s conditions will essentially result in the harassment of tenants in their own homes. Monthly checks are simply unnecessary and could be considered as breaking a tenant’s ‘right to quiet enjoyment’.

“The Council has displayed an incredible lack of understanding of how private housing works.”

Harrow Council's licensing conditions will also make landlords responsible for ensuring that external areas are maintained in a reasonable state of cleanliness, including removing any bulky or non-domestic items of waste.

When landlords sign up to the new scheme there will be an initial check to ensure the property is habitable.

After this time the landlord is required to ensure the property is kept to a good standard but Harrow council says it doesn’t need to mean the tenants are harassed.

Councillor Graham Henson said: “We make no excuses for expecting landlords to take responsibility for the condition of their properties.

“This new scheme will ensure that landlords can take action against their tenants if they fail keep the outside of their properties clean and tidy.

“It should also reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area.

“Tenants who look after their properties and act in a responsible manner shouldn’t have anything to worry about with this scheme.”