They Think Its All Over...

On 28th February 2023, the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in Brighton and Hove will come to an end. This scheme was introduced in 2006 to improve standards in the city's HMOs and protect tenants from poor living conditions.

The scheme required properties with three or four tenants who are not related to be licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This was in addition to the mandatory HMO licensing scheme, which already applied to properties with five or more tenants who are not related, regardless of the number of storeys.

From the end of this month, properties with less than five tenants will no longer need to be licensed. This means that landlords with three or four tenants will no longer need to apply for an HMO license or comply with the associated regulations and standards. The majority of landlords with such additional licences will notice that all of the licences are due to expire on this date as well.

It is important though to note that the mandatory HMO licensing scheme still applies to properties with five or more tenants who are not related, regardless of the number of storeys.

The end of the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in Brighton and Hove is a welcome development for landlords who have been affected by the scheme. However, it is important to remember that the main aim of the scheme was to improve standards in HMOs and protect tenants from poor living conditions.

Landlords should continue to maintain their properties to a high standard and provide safe and secure living conditions for their tenants, regardless of the licensing requirements. This will not only protect tenants' rights but also help landlords to attract good tenants and avoid any legal or financial consequences.

There has been ongoing discussion from Brighton and Hove City Council to replace it with a more onerous scheme of licencing for all rental properties, but to date, this has not succeeded in implementation. We will, of course, look to update our landlords as the picture changes.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to HMO Licensing, and in particular any changes in Brighton and Hove, please get in touch and our team will be happy to help.

For more information on HMO Licencing, see Brighton and Hove City Council website, here.

Photo by Markus Leo on Unsplash.