HMO Landlords – make sure your property meets the HMO standard or you could face a £20,000 fine
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EAST Lindsey District Council is continuing its campaign to clamp down on proprietors of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) that are not complying with legislation and often putting their tenants at risk.
The Council is writing to all hotel and guest house proprietors in the District to remind them of their legal responsibilities under the Housing Act 2004 legislation, whilst also appealing to tenants living in such a property, to ensure that the one they live in is safe and has the appropriate amenities.
A Hotel or Guest House becomes a HMO when the proprietor lets rooms as a person’s sole or main residence for more than 30 consecutive days within a 12 month period.
If the Council receives information that a Hotel or Guest House is operating as a HMO illegally or that it doesn’t comply with Housing Standards legislation the Council will carry out an inspection of the property to determine whether the HMO criteria applies.
Landlords who don’t declare their property as a licensable HMO could face a fine of up to £20,000.
Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor John Upsall, explained: “This is about ensuring that tenants are safe and live in a good standard of accommodation. We’ve had examples of HMOs with blocked fire escapes, lack of amenities, and no fire detection. This negligence puts lives and risk. We need to do what we can to work with landlords to ensure that these types of properties meet the required standard.”
In recent months the District Council has taken direct enforcement action against landlords of HMOs in the District for putting their tenants at risk by not complying with the legislation.
If you own a Hotel or Guest House and have not informed East Lindsey District Council please contact the Housing Standards Team on 01507 601111.
