Written By Em

The borough of Thurrock appears to be the next area to take on board new changes to houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing.

With the aim to improve the living conditions of those renting, the council plan to introduce additional licensing for private landlords with HMOs in certain areas within the borough. The idea is that this will also bring about improvements to property management arrangements and encourage landlords to deal with the behaviour of anti-social tenants.

As it currently stands, landlords must have a mandatory licence for properties occupied by five or more people from two or more households, who share a toilet, bathroom or kitchen, and the property is at least three storeys high. This is to be extended from 1^st October, with the number of storeys no longer being taken into account.

Thurrock Council’s new plans will ensure that small shared houses and flat of three or four tenants are suitable for the number of occupants. Landlords will also have to pass a ‘fit and proper’ person test, in order to gain a five-year licence from the council.

Councillor Barry Johnson, portfolio holder for housing, said: “The majority of landlords act responsibly, but sadly there are those who fail to provide acceptable living conditions and don’t have adequate protection for their tenants or neighbouring homes in place. This is unacceptable and can lead to problems for both their tenants and the wider community.

“We believe everyone should have a good quality place to live and tightening the regulations around more shared houses and flats would enable us to ensure homes are safe and well managed.

“It is important to emphasise that no final decision has been made and I would encourage landlords, tenants and other residents to have their say on the proposals.”

This Additional Licensing Scheme will cover these areas of Thurrock:

• Grays Thurrock
• Grays Riverside
• Little Thurrock Blackshots
• Stifford Clays
• West Thurrock & South Stifford
• Ockendon
• Belhus
• Aveley & Uplands
• Tilbury Riverside & Thurrock Park
• Tilbury St Chads
• Chadwell St Mary

A consultation has begun, asking the views of the people in relation to these plans. It started on 9^th July, and will be open until 24^th September. Consultation events will also be taking place between these dates, at the Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, RM17 6SL. They will occur on the following days:

• Tuesday 17 July, from 6pm to 8pm
• Monday 30 July, from 2pm to 4pm
• Thursday 16 August, from 6pm to 8pm
• Friday 31 August, from 11am to 1pm
• Monday 10 September, from 2pm to 4pm

You can have your say by visiting thurrock.gov.uk.

Cheshire East has seen changes to licencing fees paid by landlords, brought about by new regulations. Landlords who let houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) will face new fees, replacing the fixed fee that used to be in place.

This fixed fee was set at £575, lasting for a period of up to five years. Now, however, there will be a scale of fees and charges in place. They will range from £430 for an initial licence for smaller HMOs, up to £760 to renew a licence for up to five years for the largest HMOs.

The fee has been revised in anticipation of government changes to legislation regarding HMOs, which will come into effect this October, allowing a closer scrutinisation of the properties by councils.

As it currently stands, the correct licence must be obtained for a HMO that has five or more occupants, living in two or more separate households, and sharing amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. It applies to buildings that are three or more storeys.

In October, it will no longer take into consideration how many storeys s property is. Councils will also be able to enforce mandatory conditions in order for landlords to let such properties, specifically looking at the size of bedrooms in comparison to how many are sleeping in them, along with their age. There will also be rules around waste management.

If a HMO landlord does let without the appropriate licence, they could receive an unlimited fine. In the situation where they are found to have gone against these enforcements, they could receive a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a banning order.

HMO Licencing Fees for Landlords Revised in Cheshire East

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, has said: “Poor housing can impact on a person’s mental and physical health and mandatory licencing will be key in ensuring that landlords provide good quality, safe accommodation that is well managed.

“In Cheshire East, there are an estimated 600-650 HMOs and 51 meet the current definition for a mandatory licence. However, from October, it’s estimated that around 500 will require one.

“To make sure we can respond to the significant increase in HMOs needing a licence and safeguard those living in them, we have strengthened our resources and created additional posts.

“The licence fees and charges have also been reviewed to ensure that the full cost of processing an application, which varies according to the size of the HMO, is passed to the landlord as a valid cost of operating their business.”

A two-year licence is available initially as an incentive for landlords to complete and submit their applications for the licence by 15^thAugust.

Councillor Arnold said: “Unfortunately, there are a minority of irresponsible landlords who are providing unsafe and poorly managed accommodation that falls well short of the standards we expect in Cheshire East.

“By putting in place a shorter initial licence period, it will give the council greater control and improved engagement with landlords to help ensure residents are safeguarded and that other issues such as waste management can be correctly addressed.”