New national licensing conditions for houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) will come into effect later this year which are designed to improve conditions for households living in them.
A report will be brought to the Executive on 15 March outlining the government’s recommendations as will ask if there is a case for York to extend licensing HMOs under a discretionary scheme. The report is the result of a successful council motion from October’s full council meeting asking for a review of evidence supporting the case for extended licensing.
The Government’s changes to the national scheme proposes to:
- Extend mandatory licensing to all HMOs that are occupied by five or more persons in two or more separate households, subject to some exceptions;
- Introduce mandatory conditions for minimum sleeping room sizes and the maximum number of occupants;
- Introduce a mandatory condition to provide refuse storage facilities.
Conservative councillor Jenny Brooks, Executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods said: “Given the number of students in York HMOs are often a contentious issue, but we must remember that not only students occupy HMOs and it’s important that we recognise basic standards for this form of accommodation for the benefit of occupants and neighbours alike.
“While we enforce all legal requirements relating to HMOs, additional clarification and improved standards are very much welcomed.”