Proposed Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses In Multiple Occupation
Proposed Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) – Extended Consultation
Safe, well managed private rented accommodation for our residents.
Introduction
The Council is carrying out further consultation to seek views on the proposal to implement an Additional Licensing Scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the five wards below. A property is an HMO if it is let as a main or only home to at least three tenants, who form more than one household and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
In order to ensure we obtain feedback from all groups, including residents & local businesses we are extending the consultation for 10 weeks to 31 March 2012. We will also be carrying out door to door surveys during this time and consulting with partners and stakeholders, neighbourhood groups, student unions, landlords and lettings agent forums and business forums.
Final collation and analysis of all consultation responses and evidence collated, including those from the initial consultation, will be reviewed against the stated aims of additional licensing proposals and an outcome report will be considered at a future Housing Cabinet Member meeting (HCMM).
What does the current scheme cover?
The 2004 Housing Act introduced a statutory duty on local authorities to license privately rented HMOs that have three or more storeys housing five or more people forming two or more households.
Why extend the scheme?
We have been using existing powers to their full extent and we have licensed over 800 HMOs through mandatory licensing. However we are aware that there are a significant number of smaller HMOs that our current licensing scheme doesn’t cover where there is evidence of unsatisfactory management, disrepair and poor safety standards.
What would the proposed scheme cover?
- Smaller HMOs of two or more storeys and three or more occupiers
- The wards of Hanover & Elm Grove; Moulsecoomb & Bevendean; St Peters & North Laine; Hollingdean & Stanmer; Queen’s Park (see the map below).
Proposed Area for Additional Licensing
What would the proposed scheme require?
It would require landlords and their agents to:
- Meet appropriate personal and professional standards of conduct
- Upgrade poorer buildings to minimum health and safety standards including fire and electrical safety
- Exercise appropriate management and supervision of the buildings to help reduce any adverse impact of the HMO on the neighbourhood.
- Meet current council standards for licensable HMOs – available to view here
- If implemented, the cost of administering this scheme will be covered by the HMO Licence fee which will be payable by landlords and agents. Information on the current fee structure on existing HMOs can be viewed on the Private Sector Housing website. Fees in relation to any additional licensing have not yet been set.
Where can I find more information?
The council is also asking for views on proposed changes to our Standards for Licensable Houses in Multiple Occupation. If you are interested to comment you can do so by taking part in this survey.
If you would like any help with this survey or would like it in a different format or another language
please email psh@brighton-hove.gov.uk
The event is not currently available for consultation.