Licensing scheme for houses with multiple occupants

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Consultation has concluded

Keys

This consultation has now closed. We are analysing the results and will feedback the outcome shortly.

The council currently operates an additional house in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing scheme which regulates all three storey HMOs and any HMOs with more than five occupants.

A HMO exists where three or more unrelated people live in a property and share areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. This could be a house, flat or maisonette and the occupiers could be on one or multiple tenancy agreements.

HMOs offer affordable accommodation and although the majority of landlords operate professionally, others are happy to rent out less desirable shared accommodation, which fails to meet satisfactory levels of tenancy and property management.

HMOs in particular are often associated with poor management, (such as rubbish problems), overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and increased risk of injury from fire, particularly in properties that are three or more storeys. Licensing has been shown to be effective in reducing these issues.

Under the Housing Act 2004 this additional licensing scheme can only operate for five years and is due to end in December 2017.

Take a look at Kingston Council's website for more information on HMOs and the current scheme.

This consultation has now closed. We are analysing the results and will feedback the outcome shortly.

The council currently operates an additional house in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing scheme which regulates all three storey HMOs and any HMOs with more than five occupants.

A HMO exists where three or more unrelated people live in a property and share areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. This could be a house, flat or maisonette and the occupiers could be on one or multiple tenancy agreements.

HMOs offer affordable accommodation and although the majority of landlords operate professionally, others are happy to rent out less desirable shared accommodation, which fails to meet satisfactory levels of tenancy and property management.

HMOs in particular are often associated with poor management, (such as rubbish problems), overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and increased risk of injury from fire, particularly in properties that are three or more storeys. Licensing has been shown to be effective in reducing these issues.

Under the Housing Act 2004 this additional licensing scheme can only operate for five years and is due to end in December 2017.

Take a look at Kingston Council's website for more information on HMOs and the current scheme.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Fill in our short survey to have your say on licensing houses with multiple occupants

    We are keen to hear your views on the proposal to re-designate the additional house in multiple occupation (HMO) scheme, which regulates all three storey HMOs and any HMOs with more than five occupants. 

    We want to hear from landlords and tenants on whether you think the scheme should be renewed and what sort of properties need to be covered.

    Share your views by answering a few quick questions. 

    Consultation has concluded
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