Landlords licences strategy approved
BID TO IMPROVE STANDARDS AT BADLY-MANAGED RENTAL HOMES
A strategy to improve conditions of “poorly-managed” shared rented houses and other rented properties in Charnwood has been approved by councillors.
Landlords of certain types of properties will be required to register for a licence, which obliges them to maintain standards around gas and electrical safety, smoke alarms, and storage and disposal of household waste.
A licence is being brought in for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) across the borough, which includes properties occupied by three or four unrelated people, and a separate selective licence for privately rented accommodation in the Hastings and Lemyngton wards in Loughborough.
The mandatory licences also include conditions around energy performance, security and dealing with anti-social behaviour, with landlords to be responsible for paying for the licence.
Councillor Paul Mercer, the borough council’s lead member for private housing said: “I am pleased the conditions for these licensing schemes have been approved and we can now move forward with implementing the schemes from January.
“There are many good landlords in the borough who care about their tenants and understand their broader responsibilities, but we have some properties which are poorly managed or have a negative effect on the community.
“These licensing schemes will help to improve the standards of properties for tenants and the impact HMOs have on the local area.
“I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to have their say on the two consultations held in relation to the schemes and the licence conditions.”
The conditions for each licence will last for five years.
Landlords will be required to apply for a licence before the scheme is introduced.
Income generated from the licence fees will be used to cover the schemes’ running costs.
Councils can introduce licensing under the Housing Act 2004, to address issues such as poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour and high levels of crime.