attn; all landlords re. Housing Act 2004

sooz

do you know about the Housing Act 2004, and what it means to you.

it introduces new regulations governing HMOs [houses in multiple occupation].
and this does NOT just mean bedsits/studios/hostels, but also covers most of the housing stock in london. even if you do not rent, but own your own flat, you may be affected - by the fees - which will be uncapped, and huge fines.

housing act 2004 defines an HMO as
'any building [or flat] in which two or more household comprising three or more people that share basic amenities'
'flats in multiple occupation'
'any converted building with one or more units of non self contained accomodation'
'any conversion of self contained flats not meeting the 1991 building regulations standard and more than a third tenanted'

household is
'a family'
'a single person'
'a co habiting couple'
'carers, foster arrangements, domestic staff and other prescribed persons'
'resident landlord plus two lodgers'


it is being introduced in late autumn - date not yet decided - but non-compliance, [apparently according the ODPM -ie Prescott]-within 3 months can result in fines of up to 20,000.00 - twenty thousand pounds.

i was recently at a meeting about this, and a question asked by one of the large housing groups - that own vast chunks of central london - was.....

4 story building, communal entrance, and 5 self contained flats, converted before 1991 [ie standard georgian terrace anywhere in london and south east]. 3 owner occupied, 2 rented out. one owner has to move, but decides to rent it out, so now 2 owned flats, and 3 rented. this now becomes an HMO.

to top it all, you will be required to prove that you/freeholder/managing agent is a 'fit and proper' person. me - i'm an :A , but how do i prove this....even the local authorities who will be asking the questions, don't yet know


good luck

martinpike

Sorry, I don't get your point.

The definition of HMO's is changing, sure, but what fees are payable?

sooz

all hmos under above definitions will need a licence. a licence can be granted for up to 5 years, and may have a detrimental effect on the value of your property. that is where the local council comes in, and starts charging an uncapped fee to grant a licence. to get the licence, you need to prove many things, incl being 'fit and proper', and possibly having to upgrade many things incl alarms/fire escapes.

fair enough, i understand this in terms of besits etc needing regulation, but private owner occupiers are going to feel the knock on effect if someone within their building decides to rent out.