Possible Changes ahead for madatory licensing of HMO’s
Recent reports point to Government plans to introduce changes to HMO mandatory licensing requirements, such changes would include extending mandatory licensing to two storey buildings and possibly single storey properties converted into flats, which are not compliant with Building Regulations.
Landlords need to be aware that such changes to the licensing requirements for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) could possibly come into effect sometime this year.
Local councils are already very much aware of the problems that surround HMO’s and have been putting more resources to controlling such properties, there have been many reportings this year of Landlords receiving heavy fines for breaching the regulations that already apply to such properties, lack of fire precautions and faulty electrics being high on the list of dangers that tenants may face.
Landlords need to be made fully aware of their responsibilites and that if they do not fully comply that they will potentially face heavy fines.