Do you know of a HMO?
Residents at home during lockdown who may have seen families crammed into overcrowded homes are being encouraged to contact the housing regulations team.
The team would like to hear from residents who have noticed properties which have multiple families living in them.
All houses of multiple occupation, know as HMOs, represent 3,000 properties in the borough and require the landlord to have a council issued licence. While many responsible landlords have been granted the licence, some have not even applied.
The team has been working behind the scenes during the coronavirus public health crisis and as precautionary measures are being relaxed, the team will have more scope to get back out in the borough and investigate landlords managing unregulated homes.
Licences were brought in last year to raise the standards and safety of properties for some of the most vulnerable tenants and reduce anti-social behaviour sometimes associated with such properties.
Landlords are reminded they are legally required to have a licence for all HMOs in the borough and all rental properties in selective areas require licences.
Evidence has to be provided to prove the rental property is safe and has a valid gas safe certificate. Landlords are also required to provide contact details so tenants can get problems fixed and for neighbours to address any concerns with the house in their neighbourhood.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “During the lockdown with people at home during the day, they may have spotted a property where several families live in poor conditions.
“These are the people we want to help by getting their landlords to obtain licences which means there have been basic checks made to assess the standard is acceptable.
“In addition, unregulated homes can be at the centre of anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.”
In the Additional Licence scheme each HMO property of up to six rooms attracts a £450 licence fee plus a £300 enforcement fee. There is an additional charge of £30 per extra room after the initial six.
Under the landlord licence scheme any rental property within the designated area covering parts of Chalvey and Central wards, the Selective Licensing Scheme, will be subject to a charge £200 plus the £300 enforcement fee.
Licences can be applied for here http://www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licensing.aspx and there is a map which shows which roads are included in the Selective Licensing Scheme.
Residents can report any suspected unlicensed property to the housing regulation team by emailing privatesectorhousing1@slough.gov.uk. Those reporting important intelligence to the council are encouraged to leave their name and contact details, but are under no obligation to do so.
The team would like to hear from residents who have noticed properties which have multiple families living in them.
All houses of multiple occupation, know as HMOs, represent 3,000 properties in the borough and require the landlord to have a council issued licence. While many responsible landlords have been granted the licence, some have not even applied.
The team has been working behind the scenes during the coronavirus public health crisis and as precautionary measures are being relaxed, the team will have more scope to get back out in the borough and investigate landlords managing unregulated homes.
Licences were brought in last year to raise the standards and safety of properties for some of the most vulnerable tenants and reduce anti-social behaviour sometimes associated with such properties.
Landlords are reminded they are legally required to have a licence for all HMOs in the borough and all rental properties in selective areas require licences.
Evidence has to be provided to prove the rental property is safe and has a valid gas safe certificate. Landlords are also required to provide contact details so tenants can get problems fixed and for neighbours to address any concerns with the house in their neighbourhood.
Cllr Mohammed Nazir, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “During the lockdown with people at home during the day, they may have spotted a property where several families live in poor conditions.
“These are the people we want to help by getting their landlords to obtain licences which means there have been basic checks made to assess the standard is acceptable.
“In addition, unregulated homes can be at the centre of anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.”
In the Additional Licence scheme each HMO property of up to six rooms attracts a £450 licence fee plus a £300 enforcement fee. There is an additional charge of £30 per extra room after the initial six.
Under the landlord licence scheme any rental property within the designated area covering parts of Chalvey and Central wards, the Selective Licensing Scheme, will be subject to a charge £200 plus the £300 enforcement fee.
Licences can be applied for here http://www.slough.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/property-licensing.aspx and there is a map which shows which roads are included in the Selective Licensing Scheme.
Residents can report any suspected unlicensed property to the housing regulation team by emailing privatesectorhousing1@slough.gov.uk. Those reporting important intelligence to the council are encouraged to leave their name and contact details, but are under no obligation to do so.
