housing act 2004

antoniomontana

just heard about this on the news, does anyone know exactly what it means, i.e. does a building have to be 3 stories high and contain more than 5 occupants to make it liable for a licence?

are there any good websites that explain the act in practical terms?

Jorgan_2

HMO licensing forms part of the Housing Act 2004. There are two types of HMO licensing. Mandatory licensing is required for all properties of three or more storeys and for all properties occupied by five or more people forming two or more households. Additional licensing will be at the discretion of the local authority.

Check out odpm.gov.uk, look in quick links under HMO

sooz

just to add to the above answer...

and if the whole property is rented out,

or more than 1/3 rented out if self contained flats within a building, and the flat conversion/s did not comply with building regs from 1991.

so if you live in your own 3 story home with more than 4 other family members this does not apply...

but if you live in above with more than 2 lodgers [making total no 5 or over] it does...


oh, and it comes into effect on 6th April.

try https://www.propertylicence.gov.uk/

antoniomontana

blimey, it really is ridiculous legislation and another nanny state law.

from reading the website i think to put it simply

if youve got 3 or more stories AND 5 or more people you need a licence. (Although not sure what happens if two people are related etc)

although ive got a feeling my LA will rub their hands together and demand additional licensing

how they'll enforce this is beyond me, rents will go up and people will just ignore making agreements and rent out by word of mouth. if an eviction is needed heavy handed tactics will be used and with no agreement the tenant will be screwed.

sooz

antoniomontana wrote:

blimey, it really is ridiculous legislation and another nanny state law.

yes....isn't britain great!!



even worse they have only just now started to advertise this new legislation, just a month before it comes into effect. i can only assume that the govt is more interested in the £20,000 fines for non-compliance than actually levying the relatively small amounts of money from licensing.

the number of arguements that i have had with freeholders, managing agents and even estate agents who did not believe me when i asked them about this........

kit

I work in lettings... i knew this was planned for April but we had no idea it was definate! Also had no idea just how complicated its going to be, it takes HMO's to a whole new level..... aagggghhhhhh :eek: