The HMO regulations and mandatory licensing was introduced a few years ago now (April 2006) so Councils have had a while to get used to it. It looks like we are beginning to see more Local Authorities applying for extra licensing, for example the HMO licensing in Cathays Ward in Cardiff which I posted on [...]
Tag Archive: HMOs
HMO licensing in Cathays ward Cardiff
One of the stories which stood out for me when I looked through my various feeds and Google news headlines this morning was this one about an application for additional licensing in Cathay ward in Cardiff, Wales.
As regular readers of this blog will remember, mandatory licensing for the larger HMO properties was introduced by the [...]
Four tips for Landlords on problems with HMOs and HHSRS
At the CLT Housing Conference last Wednesday which I attended, some interesting points were made by David Smith (of Pain Smith Solicitors) in his talk.
Consultation for additional licensing
Local Authorities can apply for additional licensing powers but the regulations include requirements that proper consultation be carried out first with relevant parties, which should include, for example, [...]
Shoddy HMOs? Don’t blame the law, blame the enforcers
A recent article on the BBC news site, complains that landlords are avoiding the HMO licensing regulations by developing HMOs in buildings which do not come within the categories which require licensing, which in most cases requires a building to have three or more stories. Hence, the article implies, landlords are able to get [...]
HMO Landlords fined in Manchester
More and more landlords and agents are being prosecuted under the HMO licensing regulations. For example, a report in the Sikh Daily Times mentions two cases under the HMO legislation in Manchester.
In cases heard 20 July 2009 at Leeds Magistrates Court, a landlord, Mrs Ghamar Gill, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs [...]
HMO landlords water rates shock
A long standing Landlord-Law member has written to me informing me of a potential problem for HMO landlords with water rates. He tells me that
“I recently had a revised water bill from Thames Water back-dated six-years totalling nearly £8.000 for an eight-studio HMO that I own. Previously, I had paid the water rates based [...]
The Landlord Law Blog from Tessa Shepperson
HMO planning law changes causes consternation among landlords
HMO landlords be warned – the government has announced that the law is to be changed from 6 April, introducing a new planning category for HMOs (the definition to be based on that set out in the Housing Act 2004):
we have decided to amend the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) order 1987 as amended [...]
Read the full article »