News from the Residential Property Investor, the bi-monthly magazine for RLA members other artilces from the July / August 2005 issue RPI news archive

HMO licensing still on track for October - July / August 2005

HOUSES in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are on track for compulsory licensing this October. The Government has published the results of its consultation exercise in which landlord and tenant groups as well as local authorities were invited to respond.

Secondary legislation is now likely to follow shortly, and as we went to press we were awaiting an update on the national minimum standards for HMOs that the Government is going to set.

As previously reported in RPI, mandatory licensing will apply to HMOs consisting of three or more storeys and occupied by five or more individuals comprising at least two households. Storeys will include occupied basements, attics and mezzanine floors.

Local authorities will be free to set their own licence fees and there is to be no cap.

Importantly, management regulations will be enacted that will apply to all HMOs, whether licensed or not.

The national minimum standards will allow authorities to ensure that HMOs are licensed for the requisite number of occupants. Room sizes will not be specified.
 

other artilces from the May / June 2005 issue

• Finding markets within markets
• Property creates UK Asian millionaires
• Tricks and mortar companies ‘tip of iceberg’
• Town is new chairman of RLA
• HMO licensing still on track for October
• Labour 'Hasn't Kept Word'
• Checks did not spot fake identity
• Knight Frank extends funds range
• Shelling Out?