Licensing for the Private Rented Sector

Overview

The Council is considering whether to expand the existing licensing scheme for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Birmingham.  The Housing Act 2004 introduced powers for local authorities to licence certain houses in multiple occupation (HMO). The Council has implemented a mandatory scheme for HMOs for houses of 3 or more storeys with 5 or more people sharing facilities.  To date this has licensed 1,800 properties in the city, with another 124 applications still outstanding. Under the Act the Council has powers to extend the licensing requirement and designate areas of their district subject to the following;

a)         Additional licencing for HMOs where for a significant proportion of the HMOs  in the area are being managed ineffectively as to give rise, or to be likely to give rise, to one or more particular problems either for those occupying the HMOs or for members of the public.

b)         Selective licensing for PRS properties to tackle issues of potential low demand where there are associated problems of anti-social behaviour.

The Council has received representations from some local elected members, the Police, Local Delivery Groups for community safety and other local partnership groups concerning issues about the PRS and requesting the Council consider use of these powers to extend the licensing scheme.

The Council is looking to consult key stakeholders and gather evidence of need across the city.  A report will be prepared in July 2015 for the Council, reviewing the evidence and making recommendations on where and why additional or selective licensing may be appropriate.  This may lead to further formal consultation in the target areas or with specific providers such as hostel owners.

Officers will be writing to stakeholders and attending local meetings and a survey questionnaire will be produced shortly on Be Heard to gather views from residents, landlords, agents and tenants in the city.

For more information please contact Peter Hobbs, Service Integration Head, Place Directorate 0121 675 7936 pete.hobbs@birmingham.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE SURVEY NOT YET LIVE