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9:28 AM, 30th October 2023, About 6 months ago 7
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On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 4:29 AM, Consultation Team wrote: Consultation on new schemes to improve the quality and management of private rented properties across the city
Dear Resident
Bristol City Council is seeking your views on a proposal to introduce two new property licensing schemes in Bristol.
Scheme 1
A citywide additional licensing scheme where most Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) not already subject to mandatory licensing will need a licence. An HMO a house or flat that is occupied by unrelated people who live together and share some facilities including kitchens and/or bathrooms.
Scheme 2
A selective licensing scheme in Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham and Easton wards where most other types of privately rented accommodation in these areas will need a licence. This includes properties rented to families, couples or single people that are not HMOs.
Private rented accommodation has been identified as more likely to be in poor condition or have lower standards of management than other properties which is why we are proposing these tighter measures. Mandatory licensing of larger HMOs, occupied by five or more unrelated people who live together and share some facilities like kitchens or bathrooms, is already in existence nationally, and these HMOs are excluded from this proposal.
Before we can set up the scheme we must consult with residents, private landlords, agents, and local organisations that may be affected by the changes to find out what they think. We would love to get your opinion on the proposal. Full details and the survey can be found on our website at www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/property-licensing-2023
If you do not have access to the internet, we can send you a paper version of the questionnaire and proposal if you leave your name and address on our answerphone 0117 9224947. Please do not ring this number for any other purpose as other calls will not be actioned.
If you have any further questions about the consultation, you can email us on private.housing@bristol.gov.uk. The consultation will run until 7th November 2023.
Yours sincerely
XXX
Licensing and Renewal Programmes Lead
Replied thus;
Dear Ms XXX
It appears from the description of the two schemes that BCC wants to eventually license every single rented property in Bristol.
Has the Council learned nothing over the last few years? Your 2 proposed schemes will only serve to drive out even more landlords and hence reduce available rental properties and increase rents.
The PRS does not need more rules, regulations and restrictions, it already has so much red tape that it is drowning in them.
I completely disagree with your statement below.
“Private rented accommodation has been identified as more likely to be in poor condition or have lower standards of management than other properties”
Much Council controlled social housing all over the country is in appalling condition yet the Council is allowed to set the rules and to fine landlords for having the same conditions, that is a massively hypocritical situation and a huge conflict of interest.
Only the Ombudsman can fine a Council and their fines are often much less than what a Council would fine a landlord for the same offence. This is a huge double standard and is a clear case of the Fox guarding the Henhouse.
I also strongly disagree with your Scheme 2 in that a property with only one or two people should be licensed. This will only serve to discourage potential landlords who may be considering to let a one or two bedroom property to a single person or couple.
Let me ask you a question. Why should there be one set of standards for private landlords in the PRS but absolutely no standards for owner occupiers and practically no enforcement of the minimal standards for social housing and housing associations? Why are private landlords being blatantly discriminated against by the Government and Local Authorities?
My own position is that I have six properties in Bristol which collectively provide a home to 24 people. These 24 people, mostly in their twenties, who for their own reasons choose to rent, or maybe are not in a position to buy, will be forced to go and rent somewhere else if I sell up and quit being a landlord.
Many landlords have more than enough financial pressure from skyrocketing maintenance costs, insurance premiums, mortgage interest rates and massive rates of income tax etc and so yet another cost of doing business such as an unnecessary license, which I’m sure will be priced in the hundreds of pounds, just adds to that pressure.
Anyway, please note my response that I oppose any more licensing schemes in Bristol.
Yours sincerely,
Xxx
Fred M BARRETT
10:05 AM, 30th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Just another revenue stream for the council. The councils that already do it don't seem to use it to actually do much to support the housing sector or tenants. Some grumblings around here that students should pay council tax as they are over 18 and adult so I struggle with the idea that HMO occupants should not. I suspect it may be because so many of them don't pay and it is more expensive to get the money than it brings in. Simply another rise in the rent to pay it. To make it fair in view of reported housing association failings, I hope they have to pay the same for each of their properties. They can apparently avoid tax, VAT and bulk insure so their rents have an incredible advantage over SPLs
Mick Roberts
10:48 AM, 30th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Great reply from u to the Council. Not that they listen.
But good on u for getting another message across to them that it's not working.
The more they hear us shouters, just one day, they may wake up.
GlanACC
16:04 PM, 30th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Consultation, the council have already decided but want to make it look democratic.
Darren Sullivan
20:39 PM, 30th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Bristol council charge you £10 for driving in their town centre. They know a good scheme.
Michael Booth
11:39 AM, 1st November 2023, About 6 months ago
My local council are creeping it in one area after another at a cost of £800 then saying this money is totally used to fund the administration of the licencing , when it hits my area this is the final straw for Me, l will sell up its just not viable anymore .
Crouchender
12:48 PM, 1st November 2023, About 6 months ago
You have to remember it might be a SL £800 fee but when they come to inspect (graduate with LL envy) they will demand some changes which will cost and also any significant changes (called ' improvement notices' i.e. An extra double socket above the kitchen worktops or fire door for cellar/ under stairs door) will cost even more plus any penalties they dish out.
And that's for 'above radar' LLs.
Below radar LLs will be too much hassle to chase / resource intensive - best to go for low hanging fruit where LL cough up fees without a fight
Daniel Holder
11:49 AM, 2nd November 2023, About 6 months ago
This is the final straw for me as a Landlord, I had planned to keep one house which has a single occupant in but as it falls within Scheme 2 it's just not worth the hassle. I agree BCC will continue to enforce more regulation on private landlords like myself and annual fee's but the risk of litigation against me if everything regulatory is not triple checked and watertight is just not worth it. We could be talking big fines with this selective licensing and in a few years time, thousands of pounds in fees each year if they up it like they do with everything else.
Springtime come and I will be offloading the property, I have had my time in the sun it seems.