The proposal for private rented sector property licensing covering smaller HMOs across the city was approved, and the additional licensing scheme designation made, at a council Cabinet meeting on 17th January.

With licence fees for these smaller HMOs set to be £755 per property the council predicts there will be 11,933 HMOs across the city and says that in the 5 years to 2021 it received 1,441 HMO related complaints. 5,866 HMOs are predicted "as likely to have a serious home hazard (Category 1, HHSRS)" - equal to 49% of such housing stock in the city - and 251 are seen as likely to have energy performance ratings of F or G (thus non compliant with new minimum standards for energy performance).

In relation to anti-social behaviour the council says that 11,241 ASB complaints have been linked to 4,107 predicted HMO properties and there were 28,490 waste incidents linked to 6,848 HMO. This meant that "26.7% of all waste records have been attributed to predicted HMOs although they only make up 2.6% of all dwellings".

The council's conclusion is that "The data .... supports the view that a significant proportion of HMOs in Birmingham are being managed sufficiently ineffectively as to give rise ..... to one or more particular problems" for the occupiers or members of the public.

The outcomes desired from setting up the new licensing regime will include: 75% of licensable properties will be licensed; 80% of licensed properties will have been inspected and 100% of inspected properties will have achieved compliance or enforcement action will have been taken or will be in progress at the end of the 5 year term of the scheme.

Looking for up to the minute updates on all selective licensing and PRS news? Follows us on Facebook Twitter LinkedIn