IMPORTANT CHANGES TO LICENSING OF HMO
From 1 October 2018, the legislation regarding the mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will change.
The storey-height criteria will be removed. This means any HMO that is occupied by five or more persons who form two or more separate households, and who share basic amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, will require a licence, even a single story building.
The following conditions will be applied to all new or renewed licences issued from 1st October 2018,
- a minimum floor area for any bedroom occupied by a single person under 10 years of age to be 4.64m²
- a minimum floor area for any bedroom occupied by a single person of 6.51m²
- a minimum floor area for any bedroom occupied by two persons of 10.22m²
- to require landlords and agents to have appropriate arrangements in place for the storage and disposal of household waste, pending collection.
If your HMO is already licensed the conditions above will not apply until it is due for renewal
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO GRACE PERIOD APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES MUST BE MADE BY 1ST OCTOBER IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE NOT TO DO SO AND WILL ALSO ENABLE YOUR TENANTS TO APPLY FOR A RENT REPAYMENT ORDER FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS RENT.
Here are links to some local authorities licence application forms. For other areas please check the council web site or contact the HMO department.
Birmingham
https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20175/private_housing/476/houses_in_multiple_occupation_hmo/3
Bromsgrove
Dudley
Redditch
Sandwell
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/info/200223/housing/577/private_landlord_advice/2
Warwick
https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/hmo .
