Tougher Controls on Houses in Multiple Occupation
Mon, 15 Feb 2010
Following the result of a report by the Building Research Establishment, which found that nearly 40% of local authorities had issues with the condition of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), the government has set out a proposal to reduce the number of unrelated individuals sharing a flat from 5 to 3 or more, for the purposes of licensing an HMO.
The new laws will allow local councils to manage the unplanned spread of HMOs in towns and cities to help avoid problems in the local community and to help prevent tenants suffering from poor conditions and management of the properties by landlords.
Landlords will need to apply for planning permission for properties that haven’t previously been let to flat-sharers, but where 3 or more unrelated people will live together. This new requirement will come in to force in April of this year.
This will inevitably result in higher rents, as registering an HMO can cost in the region of £1,000 per property. In addition, landlords might also have to modify their property to comply with safety regulations.
If you are a landlord and your property is rented to 3 or more unrelated tenants (e.g. students,
asylum seekers,
DSS tenants etc.) then talk to CIA Insurance. We can help soften the blow of these added expenses because we offer low rates on insurance for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
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