The Landlords Union “Press Liaison” Questions HMO Minimum Room Size Impact Assessment
We were recently approached by a landlord of a four bedroom HMO property whose Local Authority had contacted her to remind of the approaching restrictions on minimum room sizes. One of this landlords bedrooms was slightly below the 6.51 sq metre limitation, which becomes effective from 1st October under ‘ The Licensing of Homes in Multiple Occupation ( Mandatory Conditions of Licensing ) Regulations, 2018.
The landlord’s options are quite limited. She will have to serve a Section 21 Notice on the tenant of the smaller bedroom, who, hitherto, has been content with this accommodation for the level of rent paid. Its worth pointing out that so too were the Local Authority, as there is ample residual living space in the rest of the property.
Also, and as a consequence, the rent for the remaining three tenants will have to increase to the maximum that the market rate can bear. This will be more than currently payable, but no doubt still at some loss to the landlord.
Interestingly, there is a detailed 22 page Impact Assessment published by MHCLG, albeit omitting the number of units of accommodation that are foreseen to be lost by this legislation, the amount of rental increase other tenants in the property will incur and the resultant financial loss to landlords from rent not recoverable.
We have written to Cynthia Brathwaite , the author of the Impact Assessment to ask:-
- How many units of accommodation are expected to be lost, and
- What impact the reduction in units of accommodation will have financially on landlord and tenants?
Unbelievably, the Impact Assessment Report makes no reference to these fundamental issues!
It is suspected the reasons these factors are not covered is because the government believe, naively, that Landlords will just downsize without financial compensation and suffer the loss of rent ‘on the chin’ together with the license fee.
[ The above links to another piece of work about the causes of rent increases, soon to be published. Watch this space! ]
Whilst we are waiting for a response to the fundamental questions raised, it would be useful if members have any similar experiences that publicise in regards to “true consequences”. Please post comments below or email [email protected]
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Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
11:07 AM, 4th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by marek at 12/05/2018 – 21:14
mors cars drive on the left than the right
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 236
1:25 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
I was in my letting agent yesterday. Apparently quite a few student landlords are choosing to close bedroom 5 for next academic year (starting Sept 18) rather than go through the hassle of HMO licencing. No hard numbers yet but housing is at a premium around here …. very few places available to rent at the moment. Article 4 has held back the growth of HMOs since 2011 so adding even more pressure. Yet more unintended consequences but alas, the politicians still in denial
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1580 - Articles: 16
3:08 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
I understand why Shelter aren’t criticising the Govt. – because they’re in their pockets for funding.
What I don’t get, is why other Tenant orgs, including Citizens Advice AND, the media haven’t picked up on it. !
Member Since April 2017 - Comments: 163 - Articles: 1
3:49 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Grumpy Doug at 09/06/2018 – 13:25
I think it is that they have not a clue what they are doing and have not thought it through, because they do not understand housing at all and what is needed
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2208 - Articles: 2
5:07 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Ross Tulloch at 09/06/2018 – 15:49
Heather Wheeler understands housing, she is going to eliminate rough sleeping by 2027.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/18/homelessness-minister-heather-wheeler-rough-sleeping-housing-first
Wheeler said she remained “totally confident” she would not have to act on her pledge to resign should she fail to meet the Conservative manifesto commitment of halving rough sleeping by 2022, and eradicating it by 2027.
I wish she would lend me her magic wand.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
5:09 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 09/06/2018 – 15:08
CAB receives substantial funding form local govt
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 423
5:37 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 04/06/2018 – 11:05Where did you get the idea there are 20 million illegals? I prefer to refer to people as people by the way. (Hence illegal people rather than illegals.)
Also I do not see the mention of illegal people as relevant to Clint’s comment, unless I have missed something.
Member Since December 2015 - Comments: 828
5:52 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Jay James at 09/06/2018 – 17:37
popn UK=90 million–govt says 65 million. all illegals are criminals and should be removed immediately with no access to legal representation–they can apply from home country at their own expence–wake up!
Member Since May 2016 - Comments: 1580 - Articles: 16
8:18 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by terry sullivan at 09/06/2018 – 17:52
With you 110 % Terry, Think of it, uk say someone isn’t here legally, they dispute that and WE ‘PAY’ for their expensive, sometimes Barristers representation !!
Want to challenge our opinion, – do so via a Barrister from where your deported back to, if uk is wrong, we’ll pay his legal expenses.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 126
11:59 PM, 9th June 2018, About 8 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 09/06/2018 – 20:18
I’d happily swap immigrants and asylum seekers who want to work [illegal or otherwise] with our own home-grown dross who don’t want to work [dealers on benefits]. Can we not just send them off to Syria [or where-ever] on the same dinghy or lorry that the immigrants arrived on. Makes economic sense and a better country. Would reduce prison overpopulation too.