The Council's Cabinet has recommended new Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to Full Council. This revised policy introduces more rigorous requirements for landlords, focusing on critical areas such as fire safety, heating, ventilation, room sizes, waste management, and property inspections.
These updated standards are designed to ensure that shared accommodation is safe, well-maintained, and properly managed. They will also empower the council to take stronger enforcement action against landlords who fail to meet the required standards.
“"HMOs play an important part of our local housing mix, but they must never be an excuse for substandard accommodation. These stronger standards will help us protect tenants, to tackle poor conditions and hold landlords to account."
“"These updated standards are about protecting tenants and improving the quality of shared accommodation. We want to see well-managed properties that meet the standards our residents deserve and will take firm action including withdrawal of licences where landlords fail to comply."
