Agenda item

Report attached

The report before Members gave an overview of HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in Havering.

Members had previously raised concerns about HMOs and an increase in anti-social behaviour (noise, litter) etc. and also a decline in visual amenity through, for example, an increase in lettings boards, satellite dishes and poor maintenance of properties.

However, whilst there were local concerns, there was also an acknowledgement of the important contribution that HMOs make to housing supply through offering a source of accommodation to those who require additional flexibility regarding length of tenancy or who were unable to purchase or rent self-contained accommodation.

Due to the transient nature of many HMO tenancies, where individuals may be vulnerable and strangers to each other, concerns can arise with the management of these properties. Poor management may impact on both the residents of HMOs, and the wider neighbourhood. Whilst most HMOs were reportedly well-managed, on a national basis, in some areas there remained a particular issue with management and the quality of accommodation.

The report highlighted that 256 licence applications had been made to date with 242 final licences issued and an income generation of £226,634.

The report also highlighted the number of enforcement actions that had taken place.

Havering introduced Additional Licensing in 12 out of 18 wards in March 2018 as a targeted intervention to address residents’ concerns, mandating all HMOs under designation to licence. The scheme offered the authority new powers to tackle overcrowding, poor property management and ASB in HMO’s. Enforcement of the scheme commenced in March 2018. The expectation for the first year was to achieve 50% compliance, currently compliance sits at 59.1%. 59.1% compliance was the figure as of January 2020’s statistics.

Members noted that since March 2018 the authority had delivered the following:

•      166 – Financial Penalty Notices (FPNs)

•      1 – Housing Act Prosecution

•      2 – pending Housing Act Prosecutions

•      £555,500 – value of FPNs

•      31 –Statutory Notices served to tackle hazards and disrepair

•      44 – Multiagency enforcement operations

•      1 - Cannabis Factory uncovered

•      6 – Cases of suspected modern slavery involving 50 people

Licences would last for 5 yearsunless the Council had concerns about the management, use, condition or occupation of the property, in which case the Council may grant a licence for a shorter period, the fee being the standard rate.

Where the Council takes enforcement action, the licence may be revoked. If this happens a new application will have to be made and a new licence fee paid.

Licences were not transferable. If a person wants to become the new licence holder for a property, they must apply for a new licence, and pay a new licence fee.

Application fees covered the Council’s costs of processing, administration and validation of the application for a licence. The Part A application fee was due when an application for a license was made and application fees were non-refundable, regardless of whether the application was successful.

Once the license application had been processed and had been approved. The Part B fee would be payable before the licence was issued.

There were separate fees for specific enforcement action, charged under section 49 of the Housing Act 2004.

The Council would use civil penalty notices where appropriate as an alternative to prosecution. The maximum penalty was £30,000 per offence.

The fees for the licence were as follows:

Part A £550

Part B £350

Members were advised that All Member Briefings would take place in the future to keep Members advised on the progress of the scheme.

Members noted the contents of the report.