Council’s citywide HMO licensing consultation to combat ‘public health crisis’

A council has unveiled a consultation on a new citywide licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation.

Proposals for an additional HMO licensing scheme have been approved and now the council needs the views from residents, landlords, letting agents and businesses.

However, one news report quotes Salford City Council Mayor Paul Dennett declaring HMO issues are a ‘public health crisis’.

Manchester World also quotes the mayor in the meeting as saying: ‘Landlords should be ashamed of themselves operating these sorts of properties in the city of Salford.’

Concerning results

Mr Dennett also said: “It is important we drive up our housing standards as much as we can in Salford.

“Initial research by officers has shown some concerning results.

“Information shows that a huge proportion of Section 257 HMOs failed to meet expected property standards.

“Many properties were found to suffer from poor maintenance, damp and inadequate energy efficiency, resulting in cold and unhealthy living environments.

“And the majority also failed to meet minimum fire safety standards.”

He added: “These findings make it clear that as a local authority we should give consideration to use powers available to us and take action.

“People should be able to rely on a safe and well-managed home in this city.

“And residents living near HMOs should not have to put up with antisocial behaviour.”

Landlord fines reinvested

Under the Housing Act 2004, councils can introduce additional licensing where there is evidence that HMOs are being poorly managed.

Before licensing is introduced, the council must demonstrate the scale of the issue and take local opinion into account.

Last summer, the council said it had issued £2.2m in fines to landlords renting out unsafe homes.

More than £500,000 of that was levied against 26 HMO landlords in July alone.

The council says the cash has been reinvested into housing standards and inspection teams.

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