Cabinet approved the Additional licensing scheme in October 2018. shared accommodation for students – although many halls of residence and other types of student accommodation owned by educational establishments are not classed as HMOs. It applies to any property occupied by 3 or more people forming 2 or more households. Councils can adopt a set of conditions to attach to every licence to address specific issues within their areas. Havering council currently has an additional HMO licensing scheme covering 12 wards but they have announced plans to expand by a further 6 wards, which would include Cranham, Emerson Park, Hacton, Hylands, St Andrew’s and Upminster. The legislation includes a set of mandatory conditions which the Council must attach to each licence issued. If changes do occur within the licence period, the licence holder must inform the council. An additional HMO is any HMO that does not require a mandatory HMO licence. As of the 1st April 2019 Tower Hamlets will be running an Additional licensing scheme. Across Tower Hamlets, landlords are required to license HMOs that have three or four occupants living as two or more households with shared facilities that are not already covered by the mandatory scheme that exists for larger HMOs of five or more tenants. For more information visit the Article 4 page. There is also the facility to make bulk payments for landlords with many properties. There are exemptions to the requirement to be licensed and these are contained in schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004 In Brief these include properties which are; Please check if the property is exempted before making an application. Below is a summary of the additional requirements set by the Council: The Council has introduced a Landlord Licensing Scheme that came into force on 1st October 2018. • Licence applications have been submitted for only 25% of the 138,500 private rented properties that require licensing under mandatory HMO or additional licensing schemes - a non-compliance rate of 75%. Additional HMO Licensing in all of Islington A Borough-wide licensing scheme for HMOs requiring anyone who rents out a flat or house occupied by 3 or more tenants, who are not members of the same family, to get a licence. The council currently operates three property licensing schemes. One of the most important legal aspects of letting an HMO is getting the relevant licence in place. This will bring certain flats above shops on high streets within mandatory licensing as well as small blocks of flats which are not connected to commercial premises. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council has introduced a number of additional requirements depending on where the leasehold property is located and how it is let to tenants. This replaces the additional licensing scheme introduced in 2015. The Council has an enforcement policy which details how we deal with breaches of the legislation. Tower Hamlets also has a Selective Licensing Scheme. This means that all HMOs of three or more people, from more than one household will require an Additional licence. a valid current gas safety certificate, which is renewed annually, must be provided, proof that all the electrical appliances and furniture are kept in a safe condition, proof that the fire detection and smoke alarm system is installed and functioning correctly, each occupier must have a written statement of the terms on which they occupy the property, i.e. 2 or more households and 3. they share facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen and 4. at least one of the tenants pays rent and 5. the property is not in the Selective Licensing areas of Spitlafields and Banglatown, Weavers and Whitechapel. This means that where a building has two flats and each is occupied by five persons living in two or more households, each flat will require a separate HMO licence. It has been a legal requirement to licence properties that are defined as Mandatory HMOs since 2006. This will apply regardless of whether the block is above or below commercial premises. 6 2. Reduced Capability to Evict. Housing in Tower Hamlets is in great demand. Many people living in HMOs have an. There are currently 2 licensing schemes operating in Tower Hamlets and which are: 1. This is a local scheme to Camden which came into force on 8 December 2020. Our own analysis of the Local Land and Property Gazetteer estimates that there is currently 128k homes of which an estimated 81.5k are privately owned. See lists of exemptions. PROPERTY LICENSING IN TOWER HAMLETS Tower Hamlets currently runs two different property licensing schemes though things are about to change: Mandatory HMO licensing (nationwide licensing scheme) Selective licensing Mandatory HMO Licensing Any property that is rented out to five or more tenants, from more than one household, sharing facilities will require a Mandatory HMO licence. No rooms below 6.5m2 will be considered as suitable for sleeping rooms under any circumstances. 1.3 What are the extended mandatory HMO licensing requirements? Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) Your landlord has extra legal responsibilities if the house or flat you share with other tenants is a house in multiple occupation (HMO). Tower Hamlets Council ModernGov. 5.3 Consultation on an Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation PDF 191 KB; 5.3a Appendix One TH_PRS_report_12_October_ 2017 PDF 2 MB; 5.3b Appendix Two Definition of an HMO PDF 59 KB; 5.3c Appendix Three Proposal for Additional Licensing Scheme PDF 80 KB a tenancy agreement. Any convictions can affect the fit and proper person status and could therefore result in limitation in being able to manage a licensable property in future. You will also need the contact details, including full name, telephone number, postal and email address of the following  people/organisations: (The definitions can be found in the glossary). As of November 2020, there are additional licensing schemes in Barnet, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Southwark, Tower Hamlets & Waltham Forest. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply. Your can read more about mandatory licenses and the recent changes to the definition that came into force on 1 October 2018 here. occupied by two persons who form two households. This Additional Licensing Scheme will cover the whole borough excluding the current Selective licensing designation - Spitalfields and Banglatown, Weavers and Whitechapel wards (pre-2014 wards). In deciding whether to grant a licence, the Council must be satisfied that the proposed licence holder 'is a fit and proper person to be the licence holder…’ and that ‘the proposed manager of the house is a fit and proper person to be the manager of the house…’. Between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses the number of homes grew by 25.7% to 101k. HMO licensing schemes Mandatory scheme This national scheme was most recently extended in October 2018 and is mandatory and thus is not included in the consultation. Fees can be paid online using a UK bank registered card. For any license related queries, leaseholders can contact the Health and Housing team on 020 7364 5008 or via email at housinglicensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk, Additional subletting requirements set by the Council, shared house or flat, where the sharers are not members of the same family, bed-and-breakfast hotel that is not just for holidays. To find out if a property needs to be licensed and which type of licence to apply for please click on the link below. See the standards required. shared accommodation for students – although many halls of residence and other types of student accommodation owned by educational establishments are not … This definition changed in October 2018, in brief the following properties will need to be licensed under the mandatory scheme; It is the individual HMO that is required to be licensed and not the building within which the HMO is situated. The amenity standard assures that residents have access to sufficient number of cookeing and bathing facilties etc. If the property has five or more occupants living as two or more households you may need a mandatory licence excluding blocks of flats . Officers can attach conditions to individual licences if there are issues specific to the property. The Additional Licensing Scheme is the extension of the HMO licensing above and will include all properties with 3 or more tenants forming 2 or more different households irrespective of the property type i.e. controlled or managed by a Local Housing Authority, controlled or managed by registered social landlords and housing providers, controlled and managed by Health Service Body, occupied by religious communities (except section 257 HMOs). Additional licensing. There are three ways that conditions are added to the licence; Failure to meet licence conditions can result in a criminal conviction and an unlimited fine or be issued with a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for each condition breached. Extension of mandatory HMO licensing 7 2.1 Definition of a HMO covered by mandatory licensing 7 2.2 The occupation requirement 7 2.3 What buildings are covered? The council has confirmed an Article 4 direction to remove permitted development right for changes of use from shops (A1 use class), financial and professional services (A2 use class), betting offices or pay day loan shops (including buildings where these uses are combined with residential) to a residential dwelling (C3 use class). This will apply regardless of whether the block is above or below commercial premises. Mandatory HMO licences – for properties of 3 or more storey’s with 5 or more tenants from two or more households. You must have a licence if you’re renting out an HMO that falls under the  Mandatory Licensing prescribed definition. The Council will consider such a request if you can demonstrate that your duties as a Licence holder are adequately covered by a responsible person and that they have the authority and funds to carry out urgent repairs if needed. A good example would be if you are in the process of evicting the tenant so that you can live in the property yourself as a family home. it is to include all flats and houses. A register of You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO. The current scheme is due to end on 30 September 2021. 4. HMO Licensing. Mandatory HMO licensing . There are two current HMO licensing schemes in the borough which are; Mandatory and Additional Licensing . shared accommodation for students – although many halls of residence and other types of student accommodation owned by educational establishments are not classed as HMOs. From 1 April there will be three licensing schemes for privately rented properties in the borough. This Additiona… However you must ensure you are aware of the conditions specific to your licence because there may be others attached by the officer. Tower Hamlets; Waltham Forest; Wandsworth; Westminster; RESOURCES. There are three kinds of licensing scheme in operation in London: Mandatory HMO, additional, and selective licensing. London Fire Brigade for Landlords and Tenants guidance, Fire safety risk assessment – sleeping accommodation, Exemptions to Selective Licensing and HMO Licensing, The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006, Houses in Multiple Occupation and residential property licensing reform Guidance for Local Housing Authorities, The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018, HMO residential property licensing guidance, The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006, The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007, Tower Hamlets Planning and Building Control, shared house or flat, where the sharers are not members of the same family, bed-and-breakfast hotel that is not just for holidays. This will bring certain flats above shops on high streets within mandatory licensing as well as small blocks of flats which are not connected to commercial premises. If you’re letting an HMO… Environmental Health and Trading StandardsJohn Onslow House1 Ewart PlaceLondonE3 5EQTel: 020 7364 5008housinglicensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk. Please read the guidance notes to ensure that you make your application successfully. It’s sometimes called a ‘house share’. However some boroughs have their own specific criteria. The licence is valid for three years in Tower Hamlets assuming no significant changes to the property or the ownership in that time. A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property that is let to at least three people who are not from one ‘household’ but share facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom. View the mandatory and selective public licensing registers. Fire detection and warning system commissioning or testing certificate. overall management and conditions of the property. This means that where a building has two flats and each is occupied by 5 persons living in 2 or more households, each flat will require a separate HMO licence. To find out more on if your leasehold property is subject to these additional requirements visit the council’s website - Click here. If any of the above licensing requirements apply to you, you must obtain a license. Mohammed Saleh Ahmed, a London landlord in the borough of Tower Hamlets, has been issued a £4,000 fine, including costs of over £5,000, after failing to obtain the necessary licence for his HMO. all HMOs with five or more occupiers living in two or more households who share some amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom regardless of the number of storeys. Gas Safety Certificate or Commissioning form. In April 2019, the council introduced an ‘Additional’ licensing scheme for multi-occupied premises under the provisions within the Housing Act 2004. A buy-to-let landlord in London has been ordered to pay more than £9,000 for failing to license a HMO. Currently the scheme operates within three of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets wards. Monday, November 2, 2020 - Tower Hamlets Council Tower Hamlets Council is consulting on plans to renew their selective licensing scheme that was introduced in the west of the borough in October 2016. Operating an unlicensed property that should be licensed can result in a criminal conviction and an unlimited fine or a Financial Penalty of up to £30,000. Rent repayment Orders (RROs). Additional HMO Licensing Fee. it is to include all flats and houses. The landlord can also be subject to; The Housing Act 2004 requires the council to hold a register of licensed properties in the borough. need to chase for missing documents £62.50 Postal Application £621 If in instalments (£32 more): Part One: £283 ADDITIONAL HMO LICENSING This type of licensing scheme is borough specific and typically applies to all HMOs that do not fall under mandatory licensing – 3 or 4 unrelated tenants sharing facilities. The licence may be revoked where the Council no longer considers that the licence holder is a fit and proper person to be the licence holder and where the Council no longer considers that the management of the house is being carried on by persons who are not in each case fit and proper persons to be involved in its management. all HMOs with 5 or more occupiers living in 2 or more households regardless of the number of storeys. • The picture for selective licensing is markedly different. Additional HMO licensing was introduced to cover HMOs which do not meet all the criteria for the national Mandatory HMO Licensing Scheme. Once the licence is issued it becomes an offence if the conditions are breached. A HMO will also share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. This was approved by the Mayor in Cabinet on 29 January 2020 and will come into force on 1 January 2021. A HMO is a house or a flat which is occupied by three of more unrelated persons, who do not form a single household. Haringey To Run New Additional HMO Licensing Scheme A new borough-wide Additional HMO licensing scheme in Haringey was approved by the Cabinet in Febr... March 28, 2019. A HMO is a house or a flat which is occupied by three or more unrelated persons, who do not form a single household  and share amenities such as bathrooms – this definition is supported by Sections 254, 257 and 258 of the Housing Act 2004. The Additional Licensing Scheme is the extension of the HMO licensing above and will include all properties with 3 or more tenants forming 2 or more different households irrespective of the property type i.e. It is unlikely that we would issue a licence to somebody living outside the UK. The service also has a policy which details specifically with how we deal with offences related to property licensing. The application form for the Mandatory Licence can be found online. Haringey To Run New Additional HMO Licensing Scheme A new borough-wide Additional HMO licensing scheme in Haringey was approved by the Cabinet in February 2019. This requirement is to ensure that those responsible for operating the licence and managing the property are of sufficient integrity and good character to be involved in the management of the particular residential property and as such they do not pose a risk to the welfare or safety of persons occupying the property. If you live in a HMO that should be licensed but isn't, your landlord can be fined and ordered to repay up to 12 months' rent (or housing benefit to the Council). It requires all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) that consist of five or more occupants from two or more households to be licensed by the local authority. Extra legal protection in shared housing. 0 Comments . Mandatory HMO licence cost Tower Hamlets – £538 + £36 per habitable room Additional HMO licence cost Tower Hamlets – £520 Selective licence cost Tower Hamlets – £532.50 The HMO definition also covers certain buildings that have been converted to self-contained flats, known as ‘Section 257 HMOs’. Tower Hamlets Council keeps a public register of licensed properties that is regularly updated. Effectively this means the storey requirement will be removed from the current definition. self-contained flats where there are up to two flats in the block and one or both of the flats are occupied by 5 or more persons in 2 or more separate households. It will also include the following conditions, which will apply to every licence: Tower Hamlets has adopted a set of amenity and room size standards at its October 2018 Cabinet meeting. A report for the consideration of an additional licensing scheme for smaller houses and flats in multiple occupation within the private rented sector, across the Borough, excluding the current selective licensing area. The Council issue a licence for a shorter term under some circumstances. reg 12 Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007 SI 2007/1903. The mandatory HMO and selective licensing registers can be viewed here and the additional licensing public register can be viewed here. The rules surrounding HMO licensing were updated in October 2018 and were expected to affect up to 177,000 additional properties at the time. self-contained flats where there are up to two flats in the block and one or both of the flats are occupied by five or more persons in two or more separate households. Ok, so you have reached this far, confirmed you need a HMO licence and decided to apply. If your property is an HMO with 3-4 sharers, and falls within a borough which has introduced this scheme it will most likely require an Additional HMO licence, though some councils have further stipulation. If any of the above licensing requirements apply to … It may sometimes be referred to as a ‘house share’. If you fail to obtain a relevant license, you may be subject to rent payment orders, loss of eviction powers and unlimited fines. In Croydon, additional licensing of all HMOs ended in August 2015 and was replaced by a selective licensing scheme. News broke last week that from the 1st of April 2019, Tower Hamlets Council will be introducing an ‘Additional’ licensing scheme for multi-occupied premises under the provisions within the Housing Act 2004. Minimum bedroom size for sleeping Kitchen facilities in a separate room, Minimum bedroom size for sleeping Kitchen facilities within the room. You click the ‘Apply online’ button and one of two things happen: In some circumstances a temporary exemption from licensing can be granted. 7 2.4 Converted blocks of flats – section 257 HMOs 8 2.5 Additional HMO licensing 9 2.6 Implementation 9 Any rooms below the Tower Hamlets minimum space standard above will not normally be considered suitable for sleeping accommodation although discretion may be granted if there is sufficient other communal space available to the occupiers. Electrical Safety Certificate or Commissioning form. These are: The scheme applies to all private landlords renting properties to tenants within the selective licensing area and requires all landlords to obtain a licence from the council before a property can be rented out in these areas. As is the case now, it is the individual HMO that is required to be licensed and not the building within which the HMO is situated. This includes properties occupied by 3 or 4 people living together as 2 or more separate households and which meets the standard, self-contained flat or converted building HMO test in Section 254 of the Housing Act 2004. Please read our guidance to see if you are able to make an application for a temporary exemption. private landlords, either Additional or Selective Licensing or both. Additional licensing applies to other HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing. Why was the Landlord Licensing Scheme introduced? Property Licensing Changes in Tower Hamlets. Full on-line application including re-licensing £529.50 If in instalments (£32 more): Part One: £246.50 Part Two £315 paid prior to final issue of licence Partial one line application i.e. The Tower Hamlets Additional Licensing Scheme includes all properties were there; 1. are 3 or more people living as; 2. [43] reg 5 Houses in Multiple Occupation (Certain Converted Blocks of Flats) (Modifications to the Housing Act 2004 and Transitional Provisions for section 257 HMOs) (England) Regulations 2007 SI 2007/1904. Please note the conditions for each scheme is different and you will need to refer to the  standard conditions for the Selective and the Mandatory licensing schemes . Three councils had no estimate (Enfield, Hounslow & Tower Hamlets). Property Licensing in Tower Hamlets… The licence will specify the maximum number of people who may live in the HMO.