HMO landlords urged to get licence by October
Dacorum Borough Council is encouraging HMO landlords to apply for a licence early to avoid potential enforcement action…
From 1 October 2018, any rented property with five or more people living across two or more households and sharing common facilities, such as a kitchen or toilet will be classed as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and require a licence. This includes buildings converted into self-contained flats (which do not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations) where half or more of the flats are rented. This is a change to the Housing Act 2004, which previously only applied to properties that were three storeys and above.
All HMO landlords or managing agents operating in Dacorum are responsible for licensing their property under the new regulations.
To help landlords meet this deadline, Dacorum Borough Council’s Private Sector Housing Team are accepting applications now. Any licences issued will be dated from 1 October to ensure the landlord or managing agent receives the full licence period.
Along with the application the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team will need the following documents:
- Gas Safety Certificate
- Electrical Safety Certificate
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Written Fire Risk Assessment
- Portable Appliance Test Certificate (for appliances supplied with the property)
- Plan of the property showing room sizes and numbers of rooms
- Standard DBS check
Dacorum Borough Council’s Assistant Director of Housing, Fiona Williamson said: “We are committed to maintaining high standards in our private sector housing. I would encourage all HMO landlords to apply for their licences now to ensure they meet the 1 October deadline. The Private Sector Housing Team are able to provide support and advice to assist landlords in applying for a licence, however any unlicensed properties identified after the deadline will face enforcement action.”
For more information or to apply for a licence go to www.dacorum.gov.uk/HMO.