As we reported recently, with effect from today (01.10.2018) the laws around HMO Licensing have changed.
There are 3 key changes to the law:
1. Mandatory licensing will no longer be limited to certain HMOs that are three or more storeys high, but will also include buildings with one or two storeys, that contain 5 or more persons from two or more households.
2. Local housing authorities must impose conditions as to the minimum room size which may be occupied as sleeping accommodation in the HMO.
The minimum sleeping room sizes to be imposed as conditions of Part 2 licences are:
3. Local authorities will be required to impose a mandatory condition concerning the provision of suitable refuse storage facilities for HMOs. Local authorities will be aware that HMOs, occupied by separate and multiple households, generate more waste and rubbish than single family homes. Some local authorities have made specific provision under their function as the local waste authority for landlords of HMOs to ensure there are appropriate facilities for storing rubbish their properties generate.
In addition to this new law Bath & North East Somerset Council have agreed to roll out the additional HMO Licensing requirements from 1st January 2019 which will mean smaller HMO's (with three or four people from two or more households) will also be subject to these laws across the entire Bath area.
Full details of the new legislation can be viewed here.
There are 3 key changes to the law:
1. Mandatory licensing will no longer be limited to certain HMOs that are three or more storeys high, but will also include buildings with one or two storeys, that contain 5 or more persons from two or more households.
2. Local housing authorities must impose conditions as to the minimum room size which may be occupied as sleeping accommodation in the HMO.
The minimum sleeping room sizes to be imposed as conditions of Part 2 licences are:
- 6.51 m2 for one person over 10 years of age
- 10.22 m2 for two persons over 10 years of age
- 4.64 m2 for one child under the age of 10 years
3. Local authorities will be required to impose a mandatory condition concerning the provision of suitable refuse storage facilities for HMOs. Local authorities will be aware that HMOs, occupied by separate and multiple households, generate more waste and rubbish than single family homes. Some local authorities have made specific provision under their function as the local waste authority for landlords of HMOs to ensure there are appropriate facilities for storing rubbish their properties generate.
In addition to this new law Bath & North East Somerset Council have agreed to roll out the additional HMO Licensing requirements from 1st January 2019 which will mean smaller HMO's (with three or four people from two or more households) will also be subject to these laws across the entire Bath area.
Full details of the new legislation can be viewed here.
