3 Weeks To Go!
You may not be aware but in just three weeks there is to be a rather monumental change to the current HMO licensing rules.
The Changes
As it stands, a property with five or more tenants from separate households requires an HMO licence if it has three or more floors. As of the 1st October 2018 the new rules will require ALL properties with five or more occupants from separate households to have an HMO licence.
Also, as part of the new rules the minimum bedroom space will be 6.51 square meters for a single bedroom and 10.22 square meters for rooms occupied by two adults. Rooms with children in aged 10 or less will need to be a at least 4.64 square meters.
Another interesting change to the rules is that landlords will also be required to provide an adequate number of bins for their properties.
The aim of the new rules is to reduce rental property problems such as overcrowding, substandard health and safety standards and housing illegal migrants.
Non-Compliance
Fines for non-compliance with HMO licensing rules are unlimited, while ignoring the new minimum bedroom sizes could land you with a fine of up to £30,000.
You can find out all you need to know on current HMO regulations here.
