Southport landlords reminded of HMO legislation change

Landlords across Sefton are being reminded of a change in legislation regarding houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

The Government has extended the scope of Mandatory House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing from October 1.All landlords of HMOs throughout the borough that meet the following criteria are required to have applied for a licence by that date, so should make an application NOW:

• 5 or more occupants (who comprise two or more separate family units)

• Shared amenities such as bathroom, kitchen, or toilet facilities or where all the units of accommodation are not fully self-contained (i.e. although a kitchen, bathroom or WC are provided for the tenant’s use elsewhere in the building, they are not actually situated within their unit of accommodation)

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Communities and Housing, said: “Previously a Mandatory HMO Licence was only required for those properties that meet this criteria, but were also at least 3 storeys high.

“The storey element has now been removed from the definition, which now means a property that meets the criteria and is 1 or 2 storeys, now also requires a Mandatory HMO licence.

“This applies to such properties that are located anywhere in Sefton so we are asking any landlords that are affected by this to please get in touch and apply for a licence.”

It is a criminal offence if a licence application has not been made by October 1 and a landlord can be subject to a prosecution or receive a Civil Penalty which can carry a maximum fine of £30,000.

An application can be made via housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk

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