There has been much debate about the Council's current proposals for licencing small Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in some areas of Bath.
The primary objective of licensing is to improve the quality of homes that people live in. I am very unhappy that some rogue landlords provide accommodation for members of my community that is cold, unsafe and poorly maintained. The Council's current voluntary accreditation scheme isn't working. Not because it isn't good – all the good landlords have signed up – but because the rogue landlords never will.
The secondary objective of licencing is to improve the management of the properties. Poor waste management, overgrown gardens and a poorly maintained exterior characterise bad HMOs and are a frustration to longer term members of the community. If implemented, licencing will require the Landlord to take appropriate action to manage these issues.
It is illegal for the Council to make a profit from any licensing scheme. As Council Tax payers, we would not want it to make a loss, so running the scheme needs to be cost neutral and funded by fair fees paid by the landlord for the licence.
A recent the letter writer to the Bath Chronicle commented that licencing will not prevent any increase in the number of HMOs. This is true. However the Council is also consulting on introducing an Article 4 Direction planning restriction to prevent any new HMOs being created where there are already 25% or more in any given area.
Combined, these two initiatives will improve the quality of housing and promote a balanced and diverse community with a fair mix of family homes and HMOs.
Both consultations close this coming Friday (30/11/12). The above views are my own, whether you agree with them or not, please have your say:- visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/HMO or call in to the Council's One Stop Shop for more information.
The primary objective of licensing is to improve the quality of homes that people live in. I am very unhappy that some rogue landlords provide accommodation for members of my community that is cold, unsafe and poorly maintained. The Council's current voluntary accreditation scheme isn't working. Not because it isn't good – all the good landlords have signed up – but because the rogue landlords never will.
The secondary objective of licencing is to improve the management of the properties. Poor waste management, overgrown gardens and a poorly maintained exterior characterise bad HMOs and are a frustration to longer term members of the community. If implemented, licencing will require the Landlord to take appropriate action to manage these issues.
It is illegal for the Council to make a profit from any licensing scheme. As Council Tax payers, we would not want it to make a loss, so running the scheme needs to be cost neutral and funded by fair fees paid by the landlord for the licence.
A recent the letter writer to the Bath Chronicle commented that licencing will not prevent any increase in the number of HMOs. This is true. However the Council is also consulting on introducing an Article 4 Direction planning restriction to prevent any new HMOs being created where there are already 25% or more in any given area.
Combined, these two initiatives will improve the quality of housing and promote a balanced and diverse community with a fair mix of family homes and HMOs.
Both consultations close this coming Friday (30/11/12). The above views are my own, whether you agree with them or not, please have your say:- visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/HMO or call in to the Council's One Stop Shop for more information.
