Agenda item

Purpose

1.    To examine the need for additional licensing controls of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city.

2.    If a need is determined, to outline the process for undertaking a consultation on the formal introduction of such a scheme.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approves

1.    That Cabinet decide if the evidence presented is strong enough for the city council to undertake a consultation on the introduction of additional licencing scheme for HMOs.

2.    Subject to recommendation 2.1, a proposed designation for additional licensing must be agreed and consulted upon. It is recommended that the basis for introduction of additional licensing would be in relation to the impacts to tenants of poor living conditions and poor management practices, as indicated by the evidence from the current Mandatory Licensing scheme. The designation should therefore seek to scale up the licensing of HMOs to provide inclusion for all tenants living in HMOs with a City wide designation.

3.    Subject to recommendation 1, that the consultation starts on 23rd May 2022, as outlined within section 10 of this report.

4.    Subject to recommendation 1, that the consultation includes the information outlined within sections 5, 6, 7 & 8 of this report.

5.    Subject to recommendation 1, that following the completion of the consultation, officers return with a report which summarises the responses to enable a final decision on the implementation of a new additional licencing scheme.

6.    In the event that Cabinet do not proceed with a consultation on the introduction of an additional licencing scheme for HMOs, a consultation should be held to introduce the proposed updated Space Standards document (Appendix 5) and the proposed updated enforcement policy (Appendix 6). This consultation should commence on 23^rd May 2022.

1.    Agreed that the city council will start the consultation process on the introduction of an additional licensing scheme for HMOs.

2.    Subject to recommendation 1, a proposed designation for additional licensing must be agreed and consulted upon. It is recommended that the basis for introduction of additional licensing would be in relation to the impacts to tenants of poor living conditions and poor management practices, as indicated by the evidence from the current Mandatory Licensing scheme. The designation should therefore seek to scale up the licensing of HMOs to provide inclusion for all tenants living in HMOs with a City wide designation.

3.    Subject to recommendation 1, that the consultation starts on 23rd May 2022, as outlined within section 10 of this report.

4.    Subject to recommendation 1, that the consultation includes the information outlined within sections 5, 6, 7 & 8 of this report.

5.    Subject to recommendation 1, that following the completion of the consultation, officers return with a report which summarises the responses to enable a final decision on the implementation of a new additional licencing scheme.

6.    In the event that Cabinet do not proceed with a consultation on the introduction of an additional licencing scheme for HMOs, a consultation should be held to introduce the proposed updated Space Standards document (Appendix 5) and the proposed updated enforcement policy (Appendix 6). The consultation will start on 23 May 2022 with any drafting changes delegated to the Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods & Building Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing & Preventing Homelessness.