TENANTS and landlords in Worcester are being asked for their views on whether a licensing scheme designed to improve standards in shared rented housing should continue for a further five years.
Worcester City Council has been running an “additional licensing” scheme for smaller Houses of Multiple Occupation since 2015. The scheme requires landlords to meet required standards on safety, fire safety measures, heating, repairs and more in their properties.
The licensing scheme has to be renewed every five years and is currently due to come to an end in August 2025. The council has now launched a six-week consultation to find out the public’s views on it continuing.
Coun Jabba Riaz, chair of the City Council’s communities committee, said: “We know the majority of our landlords offer accommodation that meets the expected standards, but there are a few rogue operators out there and some tenants are afraid to speak up about them. The HMO additional licensing scheme sets out the standards that have to be met and helps to give tenants the confidence to talk to the City Council. That gives the council further powers to take enforcement action when we need to, in order to continue to drive forward improvements to the quality of rented housing across the city.
“The council is seeking to renew the additional licensing scheme for a further five years, but we need to get the input of residents, tenants and landlords.”
The standards required by the licences include ensuring homes are warm and that gas and electrical equipment is safe, that there is a means of escape in the event of a fire or other emergency, and several other measures.
It is a national requirement for HMOs to be licensed if they have five or more occupants, forming two or more households and share one or more basic amenities, such as a toilet, washing facilities or a kitchen.
The additional licensing scheme extends this to smaller HMOs where there are three or more occupants forming two or more households and also to many houses that have been converted into self-contained flats.
The consultation is open until January 6 at www.worcester.gov.uk/voiceit
