Telford landlords urged to be prepared as new licence rules announced for smaller HMOs

Landlords of smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are being reminded they will require a licence from August after new rules were announced.

In December last year, Telford & Wrekin Council launched a consultation on proposals to extend licensing requirements to HMOs with three or four tenants which are not currently covered by mandatory licensing.

Residents, tenants, landlords and other stakeholders were asked for their views on the plans.

As part of a Better Homes for All update to Cabinet, members considered the results of the HMO consultation which showed almost 60 percent of respondents were in support of the proposals and voted in favour of the new rules being introduced.

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The additional licensing will mean all smaller HMO properties will now be inspected for safety and hazard compliance and landlords will be required to manage issues such as anti-social behaviour, bringing them in line with requirements for larger HMOs.

Cabinet also approved a support programme for landlords to help them comply with the new requirements as well as changes to national legislation being delivered through the Renters’ Rights Act which came into force on May 1.

An early-bird discount for the licence applications is currently being offered by the council.

Cllr Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safer streets and better housing, said: "Since launching our Better Homes for All programme several years ago, we have introduced a range of measures to raise standards across the private rental sector.

"However, we have always recognised that more needed to be done to drive further improvements, create greater consistency across the HMO sector and ensure that tenants have access to safe, high-quality homes and there are fair standards for landlords.

"Thank you to the landlords, residents, tenants and organisations who took the time to share their views on these proposals. Those insights, presented at Cabinet recently, show that a majority of people supported the changes.

"With Cabinet now giving the green light, we are moving ahead, and the new licensing requirements will come into force this August."