Slum Landlords Can Be Prosecuted From Next Month

Landlords who rent properties to multiple tenants face tough new licensing rules designed to protect tenants from next month.  HMO licensing already applies to landlords who rent their properties to five or more tenants from two or more different households where the property is three or more storeys. But from 1 October, any property let to five or more tenants from two or more households will be caught by the rules - regardless of the number of floors.  It means that 177,000 landlords across the UK will have to meet new minimum standards on room size and safety or face fines up to £30,000 and even criminal prosecution. Read more on the This is Money website.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/buytolet/article-6063461/HMOS.html

Government Confirms Extension Of Mandatory HMO Licensing

The Government has announced that it will be seeking Parliament’s approval on regulations to

extend the scope of mandatory HMO licensing:

·         It will apply where certain HMOs are occupied by five persons or more in two or more households

·         This includes any HMO where such householders lack or share basic amenities such as a toilet, personal washing or cooking facilities.

·         It also applies to purpose built flats where there are up to two flats in the block and one or both are occupied as an HMO.

·         The new rules will be introduced in two phases. Most likely, the regulations will come into force in April 2018.

Read more on the NLA website.

Rogue Landlords Targeted By Government

Rogue landlords are the target of new measures being considered by both the government and Labour. The government says landlords in England who want to rent a property to five or more people, from at least two different families, should be licensed. Under the plan, the maximum number of people who can occupy a room would be specified in the property's licence. There are about 4.3 million households in the private rented sector in England. About 500,000 are houses in multiple occupation. Read more on the BBC website.

Council Reaches 'Key Milestone' In Bid to License All Private Landlords

Newham Council has reached a key milestone in its bid to license all private landlords in the London borough.  The council has announced that all 257 private rented properties in the Little Ilford ward have now been registered. The ward - which has been officially declared a Neighbourhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) - is seen as just the start by the council. It wants to extend the scheme to cover the whole of Newham. It would become the first borough in the country to license all private landlords.  Read more on the Newham Council website.

Housing Commission Produces Final Report

Ealing Council’s Housing Commission, which was launched in March 2011 to help identify the borough’s housing goals, has produced its final report and recommendations.  The Commission’s foremost recommendation is that Ealing maintains its commitment to socially rented homes and security of tenure with its own stock.  It also advocates employment and training advice, especially at the point of letting, becoming a core element of Ealing’s social tenancies.  The Commission also focused its attention on the private rental sector. Recommendations here include landlord licensing schemes, initially in areas where private rental properties are beginning to dominate and whhere there are especially poor standards.  The council will also consider using new Housing Revenue Account (HRA) freedoms to directly provide housing for private rental or sale, and so generate a cross-subsidy for providing social rented homes. Read more on the Ealing Council website.

Council's Plan to Licence All HMOs - 5,000 Homes Targeted

A council's plan to licence all houses in multiple occupation (HMO) has begun. Oxford City Council says that from 30 January 2012, every landlord who owns a property in the city where three or more unrelated tenants live and share facilities will be required to get a HMO licence. The first phase of the roll-out - thought to be the first of its kind in the country - started last year. The council says it has now issued nearly 1,000 HMO licences. Landlords who don't come forward and licence their HMOs could be prosecuted and fined up to £20,000, it warns. It estimates that the entire licensing scheme will cover 5,000 properties in total. Read more on the Oxford City Council website.

Council to Licence Every Private Landlord

Newham Council has announced plans to licence every private landlord and property in the borough due to concerns about overcrowding and anti-social behaviour. The council has launched a 10-week consultation on the proposals, which are designed to ensure that landlords, managing agents, tenants and owners operate 'legally and professionally'. Newham claims that if the plans go-ahead, it will become the first borough in England to licence all private landlords. Read more on the Newham Council website.