Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Legal Officer

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer on the proposed statutory consultation of the designation of a new Houses in Multiple Occupation Scheme (HMOs).

The provision of good quality housing for Coventry residents was a key priority for the City Council.

HMOs were a major concern in Coventry. It was estimated that Coventry was one of the top 14 authorities having the highest number of HMOs in England and Wales with around 6,800 HMOs or 26% of the total Private Rented Sector (PRS) stock.

Planning policy had been developed by the Council to create and sustain an appropriate ‘mixed and balanced communities’, by encouraging the spread of sustainable and viable options for accommodation. Notwithstanding, the city did have large areas where HMOs within the PRS were substantial in number.

It was recognised that there were many good quality landlords operating in the city, but unfortunately there were also those who did not maintain their properties leaving tenants at risk and giving potential problems to neighbouring properties.

Under the Housing Act 2004 the Government had legislated to provide local authorities with powers to tackle poor quality HMOs in the PRS through Mandatory Licensing, however this only related to those HMOs that had 5 or more occupants from two or more households.

HMOs with 3 or 4 occupants from 2 or more households formed an unusually high percentage of houses in the city (approx. 63%) and provided much needed accommodation for residents, particularly students who would typically live in this type of accommodation following their first year at university.

In 2019 the Council approved a report to designate the whole of its area subject to Additional Licensing which provided a mechanism to secure the improvement of all of the HMO stock in the city. When it was first introduced the overall purpose of the licensing scheme was to: ‘alleviate the housing situation by setting and maintaining minimum standards across the city in the most vulnerable sector of Coventry’s private rental market’.

The scheme ran for a period of 5 years, it commenced on 4th May 2020 and would cease on 4th May 2025 and meant that all HMOs including properties converted into self-contained flats without Building Regulation Approval (sec 257 HMOs); required a licence.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)   Having considered the Additional Licensing Review Report 2023, resolves that there is a need to make a new designation for a citywide Additional Licensing Scheme commencing from 5th May 2025.

2)  Authorises a citywide statutory 12-week consultation beginning on 26th of February 2024 and ending on 17th of May 2024.

3)  Requests a future report setting out the responses received to the statutory period of public engagement, proposed HMO licensing policy, standards and fees and charges for the new Additional Licensing scheme.