Agenda item

The report asks the Panel to consider whether in due course Cabinet will need to make a decision to designate a new additional licensing scheme post 31st December 2018, and if so, in what locality and for what classes of House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The Chairman began this item by reading out an email from the Vice President of Student Welfare at Bath Spa University, it read as follows;

‘Unfortunately I don't think I can make it tomorrow due to other meetings, but I can feed in my comments.

Based on our understanding of the paper, we think that the plans for an additional HMO licence to cover the whole of Bath would be beneficial. Students are now living as far out as Keynsham and Radstock due to the current pressures, and those areas that are not currently covered are subject to a range of substandard conditions.

We have just released out Housing survey to find out the conditions, cost, and even availability of housing that our students are currently dealing with. We have received multiple reports of student homelessness or sofa surfers in recent months, and are keen to get the private housing sector to a standard of living that students can afford.’

The Chairman said that he would ask for the findings of the survey to be shared with the Panel.

The Team Manager for Standards & Improvement introduced the report to the Panel. He informed them that Housing Services have launched a 3 month public consultation exercise, led by appointed contractor MEL on a proposed new additional HMO licensing scheme which would cover HMOs with shared facilities across the city of Bath.  He said that the exercise will include details of the scheme design; marketing of the proposal; open facilitated events with interested parties; and on-line survey forms.

He stated that the current scheme had been beneficial in improving standards across the designated area by reducing significant hazards, addressing management failures and improving welfare conditions. He added that this includes the improvement of around a third of licenced HMOs which did not meet the minimum statutory standard.

He explained that evidence gathered from a number of sources supports the conclusion that a significant proportion of HMOs in Bath City sharing one or more essential facilities are being managed sufficiently ineffectively as to give rise, or to be likely to give rise, to one or more particular problems either for those occupying the HMOs or for members of the public.

He informed the Panel that in due course the Cabinet will need to make a decision on whether to designate a new additional licensing scheme post 31st December 2018, and if so, in what locality and for what classes of House in Multiple Occupation.

Councillor Rob Appleyard said that he welcomed the review, but would also like to see the residents within North East Somerset considered for such a scheme.

The Team Manager for Standards & Improvement replied that this aspect was considered but that legal advice was received to say that there was not enough evidence at this stage.

Councillor Rob Appleyard said that he would like the idea of a two stage process to be considered.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that residents within Keynsham have approached her on this matter and agreed with Councillor Appleyard that North East Somerset should be kept on the radar.

Councillor Liz Richardson agreed that it would be a good idea to keep an eye on the key market towns of Keynsham, Radstock and Midsomer Norton.

Councillor Colin Blackburn commented that he was totally supportive of the expansion of the scheme as he had seen that standards for tenants have been raised. He asked how the fees for the licences were determined.

The Team Manager for Standards & Improvement replied that the Council determines the fee and it currently varies between £600-£780 for a 5 year period depending upon size of property. The fee allows for initial assessments to be made, compliance checks to be carried out and enforcement action to be taken.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if there was a reason for the 5 year term.

The Team Manager for Standards & Improvement replied that this is the maximum, but shorter terms can be given.

The Chairman said that as Councillors they have a duty to maintain awareness of this issue and to ensure that certain standards are maintained. He also encouraged the Panel to make people aware of the consultation.

The Panel RESOLVED to support the proposal to designate an Additional HMO licensing area covering the city of Bath as detailed in the Additional Licensing Consultation Document.