Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44size building made from wax that melted to the ground during the festival, designed to celebrate the history of a candle making factory which stood in Bankside 200 years ago. Bankside’s cultural scene and stunning riverside location has led an array of businesses to set up camp in the area. The media sector around Bankside is particularly fast-growing, from the Financial Times on Southwark Bridge to Time Inc. (previously known as IPC Media, the publisher of magazines such as Marie Claire and NME) operating from the Blue Fin Building, designed by the architects of the Royal Festival Hall New Building and the BBC Media Village. Around the corner from the Blue Fin are the luxury penthouses of NEO Bankside, a fitting addition to the increasingly buzzing professional vibe of the area. Situated directly behind Tate Modern and overlooking the river, prices start at close to £6 million-a-pop. The increase in creatives and professionals alike working in the area has brought with it an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars. As well as its classy shopping arcade and health club, a taste of Spain can be found at Camino, followed by a draught beer or expertly made cocktail in the chic surroundings of The Refinery, rounded off with a walk along the waterside and those summer evening views. Entrance to Tate Modern, centre of culture THE RIVER SUMMER 2016 • PROPERTY • 41 Landlords must comply with new residential HMO property licensing rules in Southwark by Lee Whitelock (MNAEA) If you are a landlord renting out a property in Southwark there is now a high chance that you require a licence, thanks to changes introduced by Southwark Council on 1st January 2016. It’s important to look at the licensing rules carefully as if you fail to apply for a licence you risk prosecution, a sizeable fine and a criminal record. Three types of licensing now exist in Southwark, as follows: 1. Mandatory HMO licensing, the traditional licence that applies throughout England and Wales. This licence is for properties that are three or more storeys high, have five or more people living there in two or more households, and share amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities. This licence is not new and does not form part of the changes that were introduced in Southwark this year. 2. Additional licensing applies to all homes in multiple occupation that don’t fall into the definition above. It is this new licence that seems to be causing the most confusion. The brief definition of a house or flat in multiple occupation is a dwelling that is occupied by three or more people in two or more households (‘household’ essentially means family group) who share at least one basic amenity (kitchen, bathroom, toilet). For example, a two-bedroom property with an unmarried couple and a single person living in it would now be classed as a HMO and would require a licence. 3. Selective licensing has also been introduced and applies to privately rented properties that are let to single individuals or families in specific parts of Southwark. This licence applies to ALL rental properties regardless of the number of tenants or size of the property. The areas affected can be found on an interactive map on Southwark Council’s website. If you are a Southwark landlord and are unsure whether your property requires a licence, please get in touch with Garrett Whitelock today on 020 7407 4586. We can provide you with free professional advice and assist you with your application should a licence be required. GARRETT WHITELOCK 164 Tower Bridge Road SE1 3FG t: 020 7407 4586 e: info@garrettwhitelock.co.uk w: www.garrettwhitelock.co.uk support