Agents with landlord clients who let properties in Central West Bromwich are being reminded to check if they should apply for a licence under a new scheme by Sandwell Council starting on July 1.
Under the Additional Licensing Scheme, properties where three or four people live and share amenities such as kitchens and bathroom are classed as a small House in Multiple Occupation or HMOs.
Landlords who rent such properties in and around areas of West Bromwich are being reminded to register for a licence in advance of the scheme getting underway.
The council has introduced the Additional Licensing scheme because there’s been a rapid growth in the number of all types of HMOs in Sandwell in recent years.
A council statement says: “While most of them are a good standard and well managed, others are not leading to concerns about tenants’ safety, problems for neighbours and complaints being made to the council.”
The cost of a five-year licence will be £893.35, paid in two stages with discounts of up to £155 available for members of accredited landlord schemes.
A council spokesperson says: “While most landlords already provide good quality, safe properties, we know that some do not.
“We want to work with landlords to ensure their property is of a sufficient quality and that tenants are safe. We can help them to be sure that all the licensing conditions and management regulations are followed.”
The introduction of the scheme follows a 12-week consultation in early 2020.
Large Houses in Multiple Occupation – where five or more people live – already require landlords to apply for a mandatory licence from the council.
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