Town launches plans to licence all rental properties
Slough has revealed a consultation on proposals to introduce both additional HMO and selective licensing.
One of the largest towns in the South East of England has revealed plans to launch both additional HMO and selective licensing schemes that would see some 17,000 properties brought under new regulation.
It means landlords operating within Slough face a £950 bill per property for a five-year HMO license and £750 for a selective one.
At the moment, landlords and letting agents in the town need only apply for licences for larger HMOs, but the council’s plans would see both smaller HMOs and all other non-HMO rented properties brought into licensing. In effect, all properties within the borough would have to be licensed regardless of their designation.
A 10-week consultation is now to begin on the proposed plans and will close on 23 September, after which a full report on the findings and outcomes of the consultation will be presented to Slough’s Cabinet.
It will decide whether to implement one or both of the proposed schemes which, if approved, and would be in operation for five years.
Agent professionalism
The council wants to improve housing conditions in the borough, raise property management standards, reduce overcrowding, increase professionalism among landlords and letting agents, make tenants aware of their rights and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Slough says it had hoped that greater enforcement and landlord accreditation would achieve these aims, but says it now believes licensing will be more effective, particularly in relation to HMOs.
Councillor Zafar Satti, lead member for public protection and regulatory services, says: “Toughening the rules for the private rented and HMO sectors will only be a good thing, as it puts in place measures to protect residents and communities. It will help to make sure properties are of a higher standard, make them more desirable to live in and offer more stability.
“I would urge everyone to share their comments, to ensure we have covered everything in the final schemes.”
No date has been set yet for when the schemes would start. Read the consultation document in full.
