News
HMO Licensing - Potential Changes
Tuesday 24th November 2015
The Government are looking at options into extending the scope of mandatory licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
There is currently a consultation taking place which is set to close on 18th December 2015 and addresses the number of storeys and households sharing facilities. It is currently restricted to properties with three or more storeys, containing five or more people in two or more households with shared facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
The proposals aim to change the three-storey criteria, by either amending it to two-storey or extending the licensing to all HMOs containing five or more people.
The Government is also considering a new national minimum room size along the lines of the statutory overcrowding standard in Section 326 of the Housing Act 1985 (6.5 sqm for a single room and 10.2 sqm for a double room). These changes could result in reduced income for landlords with non-compliant rooms and those with smaller properties.
The consultation also covers the Section 257 HMOs (blocks of flats converted but not compliant with 1991 building regulations and less than 2/3 owner occupied) should be brought within the mandatory licensing regime.
If the changes are agreed, the Government plan to implement during 2016.
You can view the full discussion document here