Brighton & Hove introduces new PRS licensing schemes

Brighton & Hove council has revealed that it’s introducing a new additional licensing scheme for smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) starting in July.

This scheme applies to HMOs with two or more floors, and three or four occupants.

Landlords and managing agents can apply for licenses from July 1st.

From September, a selective licensing scheme for some PRS homes in four other wards, including Kemptown, will be introduced.

Standard additional licensing fee is £824

According to the council’s website, a standard additional licensing fee is £824, and the fee for HMOs is £845.

There are discounts available for landlord accreditation and meeting a minimum EPC C rating.

Councillors agreed to the introduction of the two property licensing schemes at the Housing and New Homes Committee held in March.

The aim, the council says, is to help improve PRS standards in the city.

It says that while many landlords run their properties responsibly, there have been issues reported on the standards and quality of rented homes.

More than a third of households in Brighton are renting.

The council also says it has contacted landlords and agents of properties licensed under the previous scheme to update its records.

Landlords didn’t agree when consulted

The scheme follows consultations held between October 2023 and January which received resident support – but not from landlords and agents.

This new scheme replaces a previous five-year scheme that ended last year.

That scheme covered around 1,900 HMOs and led to collaborations with landlords for property improvements.

The new scheme will cover around 2,200 properties.