COmpulsory landlord regsitration scheme for HMO's in Oxfordshire?

fimonkey

Anyone else in the South who heard on the local news this morning that LL's were to face compulsory inspections and be forced to update their properties? Something to do with HMO's and regulations. I can find any link to it on the internet so not sure if I misheard it.

They had one LL interviewed who said that it would force some LL's out of business and that they would be making upgrades to the properties that wouldn't benefit the tenants...

..?? How on earth can an upgrade on a property NOT benefit the tenant? Must say I didn't feel too sorry for the LL's (presuming i did hear it correctly)

CloudCuckooLand

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/legal/authority-to-license-all-hmos/6513356.article

Should be compulsory across England.

pinkshoes

It's more like a tax to create revenue for the council, where the costs will be passed on to the tenants.

Oxford rent is high enough already, so not good news for tenants.

There are some seriously dodgy HMOs in Oxford at the moment, but at least they are currently cheap, which is what people need!

fimonkey

Cheap but lousy? Seems like they're getting away with rent for bad properties and not liking the fact they are now accountable! I agree with cloud cuckoo.

bris

It is already running in Scotland. Edinburgh council charge around £500 for a HMO licence and there are very strict Guidlines in place before they grant it, hard wired smoke alarms in every room, fire rated doors with closers, fire escape etc. This has been in place for a few years now, i'm a bit surprised it hasn't happened before now down south.
It also raised millions for the council in fees so they do have a hidden agenda.

PasturesNew

Just saw this on my local council's website, didn't know this:

A tenant living in a property that should be licenced, but was not, can apply to the RPT to claim back any rent they have paid during the unlicenced period (up to a limit of 12 months). Councils can also claim back any housing benefit that has been paid during that time.

00ec25

HMO legislation makes it mandatory to license an HMO which is 3 more stories and has 5 or more households
the legislation has always given councils discretionary powers to required (selective) licensing of any other form of HMO irrespective of size/type.
I think it actually simplifies it enormously if all councils would apply this consistently across England/Wales then everyine knows what is expected. My 3 bed would class as an HMO but when I spoke to the coucil they said they would not inspect for compliance
Yes it is income generating for councils, of course they make a profit on it, but at the end of the day as a (minor) LL I actually think this improves the standards of accommodation for everyone

pinkshoes

fimonkey wrote: »

Cheap but lousy? Seems like they're getting away with rent for bad properties and not liking the fact they are now accountable! I agree with cloud cuckoo.

Yes, cheap but lousy. "nice" means that rent goes from £300/month to £500/month for a room in an HMO!

I lived in Oxford for 6 years, and appreciated a couple of those cheap but lousy HMOs, as it allowed me to save up a deposit for my own place.

bris

00ec25 wrote: »

HMO legislation makes it mandatory to license an HMO which is 3 more stories and has 5 or more households
the legislation has always given councils discretionary powers to required (selective) licensing of any other form of HMO irrespective of size/type.
I think it actually simplifies it enormously if all councils would apply this consistently across England/Wales then everyine knows what is expected. My 3 bed would class as an HMO but when I spoke to the coucil they said they would not inspect for compliance
Yes it is income generating for councils, of course they make a profit on it, but at the end of the day as a (minor) LL I actually think this improves the standards of accommodation for everyone

In Edinburgh a HMO is any property with 3 or more people from different families. basicaly means any mates sharing any property requires a HMO licence.

00ec25

bris wrote: »

In Edinburgh a HMO is any property with 3 or more people from different families. basicaly means any mates sharing any property requires a HMO licence.

yes - Scotland implemented the full regs from the word go - see posts by Artfullodger regarding the standards of scottish LL before they were stamped on

down here in E&W it is up to each council if they apply discretionary (selective) licensing to HMO sized below the mandatory threshold. In very simple terms a potential HMO being any property occupied by 3 or more households sharing key facilties