Worcester residents and landlords are being asked for their views on whether a licensing scheme designed to improve standards in shared rented housing should continue for a further five years.
The City Council has been running an “additional licensing” scheme for smaller Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), of three of more occupants forming two or more households, since 2015. The scheme requires landlords to meet required standards on safety, fire safety measures, heating, repairs, and more in their properties.
The licensing scheme has to be renewed every five years and is currently due to come to an end in August 2025. The Council has now launched a eight-week consultation to find out the public’s views on it continuing for another five years.
Councillor Jabba Riaz, Chair of the City Council’s Communities Committee, said: “We know the majority of our landlords offer accommodation that meets the expected standards, but there are a few rogue operators out there and some tenants are afraid to speak up about them. The HMO additional licensing scheme sets out the standards that have to be met and helps to give tenants the confidence to talk to the City Council. That gives the Council further powers to take enforcement action when we need to, in order to continue to drive forward improvements to the quality of rented housing across the city.
“The Council is seeking to renew the additional licensing scheme for a further five years, but we need to get the input of residents, tenants and landlords, which is why I am urging people to have their say at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit.”
The standards required by the licences include ensuring homes are warm and that gas and electrical equipment is safe, that there is a means of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency, and several other measures.
Since 2020, the City Council has asked for at least one improvement to meet those standards in 128 of the current 362 HMO properties in the city covered by the additional licensing scheme. In the same period, the Council has issued notices to nine HMOs where the licensing standards had been breached. In three cases, civil penalties were issued to landlords because improvements were not made.
It is a national requirement for HMOs to be licensed if they have five or more occupants, forming two or more households and share one or more basic amenities, such as a toilet, washing facilities or a kitchen.
The additional licensing scheme extends this to smaller HMOs where there are three or more occupants forming two or more households and also to many houses that have been converted into self-contained flats.
The City Council works with partners including the University of Worcester, the Police, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness of the HMO additional licensing scheme and its requirements.
The consultation is open until 6 January 2025.
