On the 1stOctober 2018 mandatory HMO licensing comes into force in England for every HMO. This requires Landlords to apply to their local authority for a license which could cost between £500 to over £1,000 per property. As well as adhere to minimum room sizes of 6.51sq m for an adult’s room and 4.64sq m for a child’s room.
It’s estimated that an additional 77,000 Landlords will now need to pay for a license.
If you do not apply by the 1stOctober 2018, there are a number of consequences:
- £30,000 fine from the Local Authority
- If no action is taken by the council tenants could apply for a rent repayment order and claim up to 12 months’ rent
- You can’t serve a section 21 notice seeking possession
In this podcast I discuss why I think this licensing is a good thing, but I don’t think that it’s enough to stamp out rogue Landlords.
I also discuss what you need to do as a Landlord to stay compliant!
Let me know below, do you think that this new licensing goes far enough to stamp out rogue landlords and make HMO’s a better place to live?
Natasha