Landlords could be subject to tighter controls under a scheme being considered by Redbridge council.

Private renetrs would require a license to operate under the plans, in an attempt to improve accommodation and management of properties.

A quarter of homes in Redbridge are rented in the private sector, with 1,538 in Snaresbrook, 1,004 in Roding ward and 644 in Wanstead.

A town hall report to be considered by a council committee on November 5 states: "Given the increased size and importance of the private rented sector in housing the residents of Redbridge, the public interest in ensuring that this sector is properly and fairly managed has vastly and rapidly increased.

"Much of the sector provides decent accommodation and is reasonably well-managed, but there are problems associated with parts of the sector arising from poor management and property conditions and related problems of anti-social behaviour." 

Figures in the report from police and the council's street enforcement team show there were an average of 900 reported incidents of anti-social behaviour a month associated with rented properties in three years.

Environmental crime, such as untidy gardens and fly-tipping, has also doubled in the last two years. 

If approved, a 12-week consultation will take place with tenants, landlords, residents and estate agents between November and February 2015.

License Application would cost £500 per property for five years, with a  discounted fee of £250 in the first three months of it being introduced.

Waltham Forest council approved a similar scheme earlier this year.