Brent Council issues first new HMO licence

DavidBrent · Site Admin Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

Brent Council issued its first licence for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) today under new legislation designed to safeguard standards of housing for tenants.

Landlord Gita Patel was presented with a certificate at her property in District Road, Wembley, by an officer from Private Housing Services, who had inspected the home.

The HMO certificate was issued at the semi-detached house under the 2004 Housing Act, which makes licensing mandatory for properties of three or more storeys, occupied by two or more households, or with five or more tenants.

The licensing scheme helps ensure properties are run by good landlords who carry out minimum standards of repair and maintenance to help protect vulnerable tenants.

Private Housing Services estimate there are up to 300 properties in Brent which require licences and are aiming to have issued them within two years. There are already 134 properties of the type referred to in the Act which are registered under previous schemes.

Phil Mitchell, Private Housing Services Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to issue our first licence. Brent Council is committed to improving housing conditions for people living in HMOs and ensuring that all tenants enjoy the standards of accommodation to which they are entitled under the law.

“HMO residents are among most vulnerable in society. The HMOs that they live in can be particularly difficult to manage and can present a greater risk to occupants than houses occupied by single households. Because of the risks associated with HMOs, licensing for this sector has been introduced. I would like to congratulate Mrs Patel for being the first landlord to sign up to the new licensing scheme for HMOs.

A HMO is a residential property where ‘common areas’ exist and are shared by more than one household. Common areas can be bathrooms and kitchens, but may also be just stairwells or landings. Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) may be divided up into self-contained flats, bed-sitting rooms or simple lodgings.

Licensing of certain HMOs is compulsory under the new Act, and it is a criminal offence to operate without a license with a maximum fine of ₤20,000.

For more information or to receive a licensing application form contact Private Housing Services on 020 8937 2385, email phs@brent.gov.uk., or write to Private Housing Services, Fifth Floor, Mahatma Gandhi House, 34 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 8AD.

For more info: http://www.brent.gov.uk/press.nsf/1454664374ee54ce80256a790055374e/8ddafaaeb28e5d44802572c6004bad30!OpenDocument