Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2025

Updates and important information regarding the Additional HMO Licensing scheme as it develops will be published below.

 

The Housing Act 2004 came into force in 2006 and changed how Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are defined and regulated. It introduced mandatory licensing for properties with three or more storeys, five or more occupants, and two or more households. Further changes to the legislation in 2018 removed the number of storeys element, meaning that any property with five or more occupants requires a mandatory licence.

Since mandatory licensing was introduced, the number of licensable HMOs has increased, including smaller HMOs (those with only three or four occupants). Licensable HMOs will be inspected before a licence is issued and any requirements under the associated legislation must be complied with. Smaller HMOs are not usually inspected unless a complaint is received about them or other reasons to inspect come to light. This has resulted in a high number of smaller HMOs and flats (section 257 HMOs) that might not meet acceptable standards. Many of these smaller HMOs may have maintenance, disrepair and management issues and this remains unchanged unless a proactive approach is taken to ensure they meet the required standards.

The intention is to improve these properties by introducing an additional HMO licensing scheme. This will provide a better living environment for their occupants, those who live nearby and reduce the risks and hazards associated with poor housing standards.

In our 2022-2026 vision, we state that we will be delivering the right homes in the right places and that to achieve this, amongst other measures, we will ensure the existing housing stock in the district (private sector and council-owned) is maintained to a high standard.

Please see below our timeline of events to help action our vision:

Timeline of events

25 February 2020

• Full Council requests for officers to explore what options might exist for introducing further controls on the definition, number and quality of homes in Multiple Occupation and prepare appropriate reports for the relevant decision body of the Council

14 July 2022

• Environment Committee agrees to instigate the consultation process for a proposed Additional Licensing scheme for HMOs

29 September 2022

• Full Council agrees to the resolution to instigate the consultation process for a proposed Additional Licensing scheme for HMO

12 June - 20 August 2023

• Public Consultation on the introduction of an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme undertaken

21 November 2023

• report to the Environment Committee with results from the public consultation
• the Committee recommends to the Full Council that the Additional HMO Licensing scheme be implemented in River, Marine and Hotham Wards

10 January 2024

• Full Council resolve that the Additional HMO Licensing scheme be implemented in River, Marine and Hotham Wards

14 February 2024

• Public Consultation results published on our website

1 November 2024

• Additional HMO Licensing scheme formal designation made

17th December 2024

• Additional HMO Licensing Scheme online applications open

1 February 2025

• Additional HMO Licensing scheme commencement

1 May 2025

• Full HMO non-compliance Penalty Schedule commencement