Additional licencing scheme for HMOs

Warwick District Council has today (9 October 2023) made a Designation which gives formal notification that it will be introducing an Additional Licensing Scheme for homes in multiple occupation (HMO’s) commencing on 18 January 2024.

The district wide scheme, which was approved by Cabinet on 9 August and follows a public consultation earlier in the year will require houses, converted flats or purpose-built flats (including student accommodation) occupied by three or more persons living as two or more households to legally obtain an HMO licence in order to continue to operate.

In the coming weeks the Council’s Private Sector Housing team will be contacting all those affected including landlords, letting and managing agents, advising them to ensure that they have all the necessary documents and safety certificates in place in order to submit their licence application ahead of when the new legislation comes into force.

Councillor Paul Wightman, Portfolio Holder for Housing commented:

“We are expecting in the order of 700 HMOs to require licensing under this new scheme. Many of these properties have never had a formal inspection by the Council so this is a great opportunity to bring these additional homes under our licensing umbrella, meaning that they will comply to a high standard of safety and repair, greatly benefitting tenants and members of the wider community.”  

Landlords who have already informed the Council that their property falls under the new Additional Licensing regulations will be issued with an application pack. Those now needing to register their details are advised to contact the Private Sector Housing team Tel 01926 456359 or email privatesectorhousing@warwickdc.gov.uk  New applications can be submitted from 1 January 2024 with early bird discount fees available for those landlords who make their applications by 14 March 2024, provided they are fully completed and ‘duly made’.

Further details of the Additional Licensing Scheme are available on the Warwick District Council website.