Extension of Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

That:

1.  the requirements of the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018 for the extension of mandatory HMO licensing to cover a wider range of property types, be noted; and

2.  the adoption of licence fees set out in the report, and the proposed extension to the term of the Licence from one to three years, be agreed.

In order to manage the increased workload generated from this extension within existing staffing resources, the licence term is to be increased from one to three years. In addition, the application options and associated fee charge will reflect the administration involved in processing licenses.

The proposed expansion to Mandatory Licensing of HMOs is not optional and therefore no alternatives have been considered. The Council has a statutory duty to operate a licensing scheme that encompasses the extended definition of licensable HMOs.