This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
The Government is planning to introduce new rules on licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) this October, the Housing Minister, Dominic Raab, has confirmed.
The Government set out its proposals to extend HMO licensing last year, involving mandatory licensing for properties, regardless of height, that are occupied by five or more people from two or more households.
Currently, mandatory HMO licensing only applies to properties with three or more storeys that are occupied by five or more people from two or more households.
The new rules still have to be approved by Parliament. However, in response to a written question by Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, Raab set out a timetable for their introduction.
He explained: “The Government proposes to extend the scope of mandatory HMO licensing, so that a licence is required for HMOs with five or more occupiers.
“We published our response to our HMO reforms consultation in December 2017, and we plan to lay the necessary regulations before Parliament shortly with a view to bringing them into force (subject to approval) in October 2018.”
New rules are also set to come into force setting minimum bedroom size requirements for HMOs. As part of the licensing requirements, local councils will be able to make sure that only rooms meeting the standard are used for sleeping.
Rooms used for sleeping by one adult will have to be no smaller than 6.51 sqm, while those slept in by two adults will have to be larger than 10.22 sqm. Rooms slept in by children of ten years or younger must be no smaller than 4.64 sqm.
Landlords, we will keep you up to date with all changes to HMO licensing rules, ensuring that you understand your obligations.
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