Agenda item

On 12th June 2013 Cabinet agreed to designate an area of Bath, based around the wards of Westmoreland, Oldfield and Widcombe, as an area subject to Additional Licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).  This designation will expire on the 31st December 2018. 

Housing Services consider that the conditions for introducing a new and geographically expanded Additional Licensing scheme can be met.  As such a 10 week comprehensive public consultation exercise was undertaken on a proposal to designate Bath City as an area subject to Additional Licensing. 

This report informs Cabinet of the results of these activities and seeks a decision on whether to designate Bath City as an area subject to Additional Licensing for specified types of HMOs.

NOTE: Councillor Mark Shelford left the meeting at the close of the last item.

Councillor Will Sandry made an ad hoc statement where he explained that this issue had been well debated by the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel and that he was pleased that this scheme was being introduced. He commented that the scheme could be extended to North East Somerset.

Councillor Paul Crossley made an ad hoc statement where he explained that HMO’s (along with AirB&B and others) have resulted in the loss of family housing across the authority and that a swift Government response was needed on this.

Councillor Tim Ball made an ad hoc statement where he spoke in support of the proposals and of the need to push up standards. He added that the scheme could be expanded to other areas.

Councillor Paul Myers introduced the item, he explained that this report will expand the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation - HMOs - to cover Bath City.  Councillor Myers further explained that there are around 3 and a half thousand HMOs in the City providing valuable accommodation for almost 20,000 residents and most are an asset for the city but that evidence indicates that a significant number are of substandard condition. Councillor Myers explained that he was supporting the proposal which would mean that the Council, and more importantly tenants, would have reassurance that minimum legal standards, particularly fire safety standards, would be met; that the Council would have the contact details of the landlord or person managing the property and finally that the Council know where the HMOs were located. 

Councillor Myers explained that at this stage the evidence did not support a wider scheme but this would be kept under consideration. Councillor Myers further explained that the cost of licensing would be met by charging landlords a licence fee and this impact on landlords must be weighed against the benefits to tenants - and the broader community. Councillor Myers concluded that he considered that on balance the benefits of the scheme outweigh the burdens and risks identified by the impact assessment

Councillor Paul Myers moved the recommendations.

Councillor Bob Goodman seconded the motion and stated he felt this scheme would receive support from most landlords.

Councillor May stated that Bath was a small city and this was a major issue in the community and pressure must be kept on standards.

Councillor Pritchard asked if officers could cope with the extra workload caused by the increased licensing.  Councillor Myers stated that he was confident that resources were there to cover the work.

Councillor Warren supported the proposal and thanked the speakers for their support.  

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Having studied the evidence base it is satisfied that there is a sufficiency of evidence to justify the new scheme which accords with the Services Regulations 2009 and that any detriment to landlords is outweighed by the benefits to tenants and the wider community, sufficient safeguards are in place to mitigate the impact on affected landlords and the proposed scheme is the least intrusive means of achieving the Council’s legitimate aims.

2)  An HMO Additional Licensing scheme, as detailed within the designation report attached in appendix 1, is introduced for a period of 5 years commencing on the 1st January 2019. 

3)  The Head of Housing undertakes the appropriate and statutory steps to enable the introduction of the proposed licensing scheme.