Redbridge council may look to introduce property licensing in a bid to drive up standards in private rent housing.

If agreed by council’s service committee and cabinet, a consultation will take place with tenants, landlords, residents, managing agents and businesses that would be affected by selective licensing

Under the scheme, each private property must apply for a five-year licence at the discounted price of £250 for the first three months of it being introduced, or £500 thereafter.

Properties would be inspected to ensure they meet acceptable standards.

Newham, Barking and Dagenham and Waltham Forest councils have all become designated licensing areas.

A quarter of homes in Redbridge are rented in the private sector, with roughly 1,500 of those in Snaresbrook, 1,000 in Roding ward and 650 in Wanstead.

Redbridge council says the scheme could help to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve the standards of rental properties in the borough.

Richard Blanco of the National Landlord Association (NLA) who rents two properties in Ilford, previously branded the scheme “an abuse of legislation” when plans were first mooted last year.