The Government are undergoing a HMO Consultation. I’m quite excited about this because it’s been a very long time coming. However if you aren’t in agreement you can oppose it. Here’s what’s going on:
If you’ve been following my blogs and my social, you will know that I am super passionate about revolutionising the rental industry. And, if you haven’t been following and this is your first read, welcome, I’m an avid promoter of an awesome industry.
HMO Consultation
This HMO consultation is the Government laying out reforms to make sure the standard of HMO’s improves. At the moment there are great Landlords. And then there are awful Landlords. These Landlords are trying to fit as many people as possible into their below standard properties. So to clamp down on this awful behaviour the Government would like to introduce some changes.
Proposed Changes
- Remove the storey rule so all houses (regardless of how many floors) with 5 or more people from 2 or more households are licensed. This will further enable local authorities to tackle poor standards, migration and the problems being seen in high risk smaller properties as the sector has grown.
- Extend mandatory licensing to flats above and below business premises (regardless of the number of storeys). Evidence shows more problems in these properties.
- Set a minimum room size of 6.52sq-m in line with the existing overcrowding standard (Housing Act 1985). To close a loophole recently created by an upper-tier tribunal ruling. This is enabling some landlords to let rooms far too small for an adult to legally occupy.
What’s the plan?
So the HMO consultation has been laid out HERE. SO you can go and read the full thing. And, you can give your comments. The comments close on the 13th December 2016 at 12:00am, so if you’ve got anything to say then go go go.
Fingers crossed this comes in because it’s definitely a great thing the Government are trying to change!
If you are a Landlord and you want to be a super successful, efficient and effective property manager. Then I have the solution for you right here.
What’s your thoughts on the HMO consultation? Add comments below! If you’ve found this interesting then please like it and share it around.
NC
