This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rise in number of HMO licences
30/08/2005
Nearly twice as many tenants in shared houses can be sure they are living in safety, according to figures released today.
New figures show there were 8,430 licences for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in March 2005, a rise of 97 per cent on the previous year. The number of licences for privately rented houses almost doubled last year.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said: "Licensing for shared housing ensures tenants have good quality, safe and well managed accommodation. That means thousands of people know that they have proper fire, gas and electrical standards, acceptable sanitation and good management.
"Local authorities have played their part in raising standards in HMOs by improving their licensing processes and making sure landlords in their area know their responsibilities under the scheme. I also welcome the support that responsible landlords have given to this.
"We are keen to make sure that all properties which need an HMO licence have one, and that's why we gave local authorities £2 million over the last two years to improve their licensing operations. The increase in the number of properties which are licensed is a welcome return on that investment."
In the year ending March 31, 2005 1,883 applications were received in respect of the mandatory licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation. As at March 31 2005, there were 8,430 licences in force, representing an increase of 4,150 (97 per cent) over the previous year.
From October 1, 2003, all rented properties occupied by three or more people, being members of more than two families, must be licensed. Resident landlords, and members of their family, are not included in calculating the number of occupants.
HMOs include shared flats, student and nurses residences, bedsits, hostels etc. Public, private and voluntary sector properties are included. Registered care homes, school boarding houses and religious orders are exempt.
Guidance for HMO licensing sets out benchmark standards for physical and management conditions, but councils can vary these to suit individual circumstances.
Landlords who let without being licensed commit a criminal offence with the possibility of a fine up to £5,000.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament proposes various refinements to HMO licensing legislation, including greater flexibility as to when a licence is needed (given the introduction of registration for the whole private rented sector) and additional penalties.