Landlords in some Harrow wards who do not join a licensing scheme for their properties could be banned from renting them out or face fines of up to £30,000.

Harrow Council reminded those who manage privately rented homes in Roxbourne, Roxeth, Edgware and Wealdstone that they must take part in its selective licensing scheme.

It comes following an announcement that the programme in Edgware will be renewed on April 28, with applications accepted from March 1.

The scheme came into effect in the ward in 2015 – with measures set up in the other parts of the borough between 2016 and 2018 – and seeks to crack down on rogue landlords and improve the quality of privately rented housing.

Licences for a single dwelling costs £580 and runs for up to five years, with properties subject to legal checks such as fire safety precautions.

A spokesman for Harrow Council said: “Selective licensing was introduced through the Housing Act 2004, (enforced 2006).

“It is one of many tools Harrow’s enforcement officers use to try to improve rented property standards in the borough and is intended to address the impact of poor-quality private landlords and reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.

“Landlords who rent out properties in the Edgware ward must apply for a licence or face quite severe punishments.

“These range from prosecution, a civil penalty of up to £30,000, being unable to let out or manage the property or being forced to return up to 12 months’ rent to tenants.”

“Whilst best efforts are made to contact all landlords, we know there are many that do not engage with the local authority and these are the ones we want to locate as they generally want to avoid doing other things, like providing decent, habitable accommodation for their tenants.

“Should you know of any ‘rogue’ landlords you can report them by emailing the team at residential.licensing@harrow.gov.uk.”

The council explained properties already licensed as a house in multiple occupation do not need to apply for another licence, nor pay for another licence, since each premises is only subject to one type of residential licensing scheme.

It added selective licensing, in line with government guidance, does not yield a profit or cover other income gaps – the fees are used to cover processing and management costs.

Applications for selective licences can be made via the Harrow Council website.