City seeks views on HMO improvement scheme

Views are being sought on a city's new licensing scheme that aims to improve conditions for people living in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Peterborough City Council wants to hear from residents, tenants, landlords and letting agents as it considers new plans to protect people from poorly managed properties.

HMOs are properties where at least three unrelated people live, sharing amenities such as kitchens and bathrooms.

The Additional Licensing scheme would cover a wider range of properties than the mandatory, national HMO scheme, which has been in place since 2006.

The new regulations would cover HMOs occupied by three or four people comprising two or more households, the council said, giving the authority greater control over living standards and safety.

Alison Jones, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "Our Selective Licensing initiative has already proved successful and helped enhance standards of homes in the private rented sector.

"We now want to look at introducing a further similar scheme, focused at improving conditions in HMOs. I would urge everyone to have their say in this consultation, your feedback is vitally important and will help us make a final decision."

Following consultation, a full report on the findings will be presented to the council's cabinet, who will decide whether to implement the scheme.

The authority said the Additional Licensing scheme would positively promote compliant landlords and help involve all landlords in wider strategies, including crime reduction.

The system would be digital and include free guidance and training videos, it added.

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