Decision details

The Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services submitted a report which provided the committee with information on the new legislation, the implications for the Council and a proposed revised fee structure  which whilst set on a cost recovery basis noted that Melton’s fee had been set at a middle level when compared to the fees charged by all the Leicestershire authorities.

Members welcomed the regularisation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and raised some questions as to the how property landlords could be monitored to ensure they followed the legislation, the impact on existing officer resources and whether the cost of the increased officer workload would be eventually covered by the income the scheme generated.

The Assistant Director for Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services responded that the licensing regime involved rigorous checking of the credentials and suitability of landlords similar to taxi drivers to  protect those who lived in the premises as well as undertaking random inspections where landlords would not be forewarned.  Also  the Council would react to reports of impropriety and Council services were already working together to recognise potential breaches such as multiple benefits claims coming from one address, planning applications etc. With regard to the fees eventually covering the Council’s costs, he considered that this would be the case in the longer term but to deal with the workload in the short term a growth bid had been put forward in the budget process to increase the establishment to support this additional service.  The Assistant Director also explained that the properties involved were not just 3 storey buildings but any house of any shape or size could become an HMO and they were set up in a similar way to previous bedsits ie. a bed/room only is provided with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. 

The Chief Executive advised that unlicensed HMOs were often associated with other hidden crimes like modern day slavery and the regulations would help raise the profile of these issues and increase vigilance.  He stated that it was incumbent on all officers and members to be vigilant to these kinds of issues and if there was concern to escalate it so that it could be looked into.

Councillor Higgins explained that although he was a member of the Landlord Association he did not have a personal interest in this item as he was not involved in HMOs. 

It was noted that issues around car parking was a planning matter and not part of this legislation.

Councillor Higgins moved the recommendations in the report and Councillor Glancy seconded.

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the committee

(1)  note the new mandatory provisions highlighted in paragraphs 3.5-3.8 of the report;

(2)  approve the revision to the fee structure of £635 for a 5 year licence under the revised HMO licensing provisions as set out at paragraph 3.10 of the report.