Controversial council wants city-wide small HMOs lice...

A consultation on a new licensing scheme for landlords letting out HMOs in Nottingham is running until May 24.

The Labour council - which has courted controversy on the scale of its landlord licensing in the past - says it wants to hear views on proposals to introduce a new five-year Additional HMO Licensing Scheme.

The current scheme will soon end and the council wants a new scheme covering the whole city, running for five years from January 2024.

A statement from the council claims that “the scheme aims to help ensure safe and decent standards in these homes and contribute to raising the standards of private rented homes in the city overall.”

Landlords would be required to apply for a licence, which can last up to five years, for each HMO property they rent out. Larger HMO properties shared by five or more people are covered by a different scheme – Mandatory licensing, which is a national scheme.

Councillor Toby Neal, the portfolio holder for housing, says: “This housing licensing scheme, along with others, is a major part of our plans to improve all types of private rented housing in the city. We believe people renting privately have a right to expect a decent standard of accommodation, which is safe, well managed and maintained.

“Poor housing conditions and poor property management can have a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well causing problems for local neighbourhoods that see higher crime and anti-social behaviour rates.

“The council believes the introduction of a new licensing scheme would not only bring benefits for tenants and local communities, but also landlords who, by obtaining a licence, will be able to clearly demonstrate to prospective tenants that they meet required standards.”

You can respond to the survey here.

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Tricia Urquhart
03 March 2023 09:52 AM

Because they don't pay rent they are considered guests. If you have friends to stay you are not suddenly an HMO!

You may also be interested to know that hosts had home checks to ensure they were safe ie. electrical & gas installations were looked at, smoke & CO alarms & houses & rooms assessed for being suitable to the number & ages of guests being sponsored.

Tricia Urquhart
03 March 2023 09:55 AM

I really hope your comment was tongue in cheek Jim. I generally agree with a lot of your comments but this one is a little unsympathetic. Not much can be worse than living in a cellar of a building while your city is being bombed.

Andrew townshend
03 March 2023 10:19 AM

I don't think Jim's comment was anti charity, but more to do with hypercritical council policy, least ways that's how I read and understood it

Tricia Urquhart
03 March 2023 10:34 AM

Homes 4 Ukraine scheme regulations set by Govt - absolutely sure if NCC could've charged hosts for having Ukrainians they would've done. They have done as little as possible for Ukrainians despite being given £10,500 per person + host payment costs + education costs. NCC are flat broke, have narrowly avoided having Govt bods in to run it, lost millions on Robin Hood Energy & are about to fleece LLs with a second SL scheme that will raise £25 million to run their housing dept. They are a disgrace!