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Issue - meetings
Report on New Additional Licensing Scheme
Meeting: 09/10/2017 - Cabinet (Item 39)
39 Report on New Additional Licensing Scheme PDF 136 KB
(Cabinet Decision)
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Proposal to implement an additional HMO licensing scheme for Hastings, item 39 PDF 1 MB
- Appendix 2 - Proposed Amenity Standards, item 39 PDF 166 KB
- Appendix 3 - Proposed HMO licensing scheme fees and charges, item 39 PDF 57 KB
- Appendix 4 - Business Plan, item 39 PDF 47 KB
- Public Notice of designation, item 39 PDF 97 KB
- The Hastings Borough Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2018, item 39 PDF 416 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Forward, having previously declared a prejudicial interest in this item, was not present in the chamber.
The Housing Renewal Manager presented the report of the Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment, for Cabinet to consider proposals for adopting an additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Braybrooke, Castle, Central St Leonards and Gensing wards.
Hastings has a high concentration of HMOs. Whilst many of the properties are well managed and kept in good repair, there are a significant number that are not considered acceptable.
The council operated an additional HMO licensing scheme between September 2011 and October 2016 in four wards. An exit review of the scheme found a number of successes, including improvements to the condition of the properties. However, a further stock condition survey, carried out in summer 2016, found that some HMOs remained in a poor condition, and in some cases lacked suitable management and safety arrangements.
A new additional licensing scheme has been developed, based on examples of good practice from other authorities. The new scheme is intended to incentivise landlords to carry out improvements to their properties by offering options for a 1, 3 and 5 year licence depending on the condition of the property and the management arrangements in place. A new online application form would also be developed. The council was permitted to charge a fee to cover the costs of administering the scheme and issuing the licenses.
An 11 week public consultation on the proposed scheme had been held earlier in the year, which included events to engage with local landlords. No significant objections to the proposal had been received through the consultation.
The Housing Renewal Manager advised of an amendment to recommendation 1 of the report, as set out in the resolution below, to include a delegated authority for the Chief Legal Officer to make any minor amendments to the scheme. The date the designation will come into force was also amended from 1 April 2018 to 4 May 2018, to coincide with changes to ward boundaries which will also come into effect at the same time.
Councillor Batsford proposed approval of the amended recommendations to the Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment’s report, which was seconded by Councillor Beaney.
RESOLVED (unanimously) that:
1. Cabinet approves and adopts the Hastings Borough Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Mulitple Occupation 2017 Scheme. Delegate authority is given to the Chief Legal Officer to make minor amendments to the scheme as necessary;
2. The designation is made on 10 October 2017 and comes into force on 4 May 2018 and lasts for a period of 5 years from that date;
3. The principles underpinning the licensing conditions and amenity standards proposed in appendix 2 to the report are agreed;
4. The proposed fee structure at appendix 3 to the report is noted and delegated authority is given to the Director of Operational Services in consultation with the Housing and Leisure Portfolio Holder to finalise ... view the full minutes text for item 39
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