A new additional HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licencing scheme which will support measures to improve the private rented sector has been given the green light by cabinet members.
Haringey Council’s latest initiative aims to protect private renters and ensure landlords take maximum responsibility for maintaining effective and appropriate management of their properties.
This follows on from a 12-week consultation where residents were encouraged to share their opinions. The feedback revealed that a considerable number of HMOs in the borough are still being poorly managed, leading to issues for both occupants and the wider community.
With a commitment to ensure residents across the borough have access to safe and sustainable homes, landlords who let their property to at least three people who are not from the same household but share facilities such as a bathroom and kitchen are now required to hold an additional license. This also includes properties converted into self-contained flats that do not meet building regulations.
Using a robust approach by taking enforcement action against landlords who fail to obey their legal requirements, council officers have been able to proactively tackle properties in poor conditions as well as identify properties at risk through the scheme’s inspection programme. This important work will continue with the new additional HMO licencing scheme now approved.
Cllr Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning, said: “It is vital that our residents have access to secure and well- maintained housing. Nearly half of Haringey's population are renting privately, and it is estimated that a quarter of these homes are not being adequately maintained.
“This scheme allows us to more closely regulate the landlord industry, supporting our many good local landlords while empowering council officers to take legal action against those landlords that let substandard properties.
“The health and safety of our residents will always be at the top of our agenda and this is another step forward towards their welfare. Landlords who rent out HMO properties are strongly encouraged to obtain a license promptly to avoid enforcement actions by our team.”
