New rules for the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) came into force on 01 October 2018.
The changes extended the scope of mandatory HMO licensing to include most HMOs occupied by five or more people living in two or more separate households. There is no longer a requirement for a HMO to be three or more storeys high. This means that some single and two-storey HMOs, as well as some flats in multiple occupation, now require a licence when previously they did not. Some HMOs which are purpose built flats in multiple occupation are exempt from the new rules, but not all. Small HMOs with only three or four occupiers are not affected.
New requirements also came into force setting absolute minimum room sizes for bedrooms in licensable HMOs. Landlords are now also required to adhere to council refuse schemes to reduce waste problems associated with HMOs.
For further information and advice about the changes, contact the Private Sector Housing Team at Thanet District Council on 01843 577437 or by email at: housing.licensing@thanet.gov.uk.