A District Council (Aylesbury Vale) is going to introduce a further licensing scheme for landlords for HMO's (Houses of Multiple Occupation) which will be widening the net.

 

The existing council HMO scheme licences those properties that have three or more storeys and five and over inhabitants using the same facilities. The additional scheme will broaden the licence to landlords that own properties that have three or more tenants who will have to obtain an HMO licence or face prosecution.

Their decision to implement the new scheme came after consultations with businesses, landlords and tenants and will be implemented later this year.

The District Council believes that within their boundaries a further 600 properties will come under the new licensing regulation and that their landlords will have to obtain the licence.

HMOs will be inspected during the licence period will be checked to make sure the property follows the regulations and standards of the scheme achieving the minimum requirements for things such as, electrical, fire and gas safety.

 

Richard Merrick of PIMS comments: "We do understand the need for the regulation of HMOs as it protects both the landlord and tenants, however is this taking it a little bit far and will other councils now consider this ? 

 

"If it is generally for the greater good then fair enough, however it does not improve matters if it seen just as a revenue generator."

 

The Housing Act 2004 introduced the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation. Local Authorities are required to license larger, higher risk HMOs, which initially will comprise those of three stories and above occupied by at least five persons who constitute more than one household.

 

 

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