Agenda item

The Lead Councillor for Community and Housing introduced the item, and summarised the report submitted to the Committee.  The meeting was advised of the progress achieved with licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the Borough and implementing the recommendations of the 2014 overview and scrutiny review of HMOs.

During the ensuing discussion a number of points and clarifications were made:

·        In response to a member of the Committee asking about the percentage of HMOs in the Borough that were licensed, the Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead indicated that the number of HMOs was constantly changing. 

·        With reference to the number of renewal HMO applications due in 2023 and the time needed to process applications and conduct inspections, members questioned whether additional resources were required now or in 2023.  The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead indicated that the intention at this stage was to highlight the 2023 increase.  He indicated that rather than inspecting the entire HMO population annually, revisiting a sample of HMOs to conduct inspections was adequate.  The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead advised that a risk-based approach of sample re-inspections would meet the legal duty of the Council.

·        A member of the Committee suggested the establishment of a working group to investigate the policy options available to control HMOs, including an Article 4 direction.  In reply, the Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead informed the meeting that a paper had been prepared for discussion of the issues at an Executive Advisory Board (EAB).  The Chairman advised the meeting that an EAB Chair had requested the issue of HMO controls be added to the EAB work programme. 

·        In reply to questions about the effects of HMOs and rogue landlords, the Lead Councillor for Community and Housing indicated that the Council received more reports of poor housing standards in the private rented sector than complaints relating to licensed HMOs.  The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead confirmed that HMOs (licensed and unlicensed) produced fewer complaints to the Council than the general private rented sector.

·        The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead indicated that measures to identify potential HMO-related planning applications would be explored.

·        In reply to a member of the Committee asking for the total number of purpose-built student accommodation in the Borough, compared with the identified need for student accommodation, the Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead indicated that he could obtain relevant the information from the University of Surrey. 

·        The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead agreed with a suggestion from a Committee member that it might be useful to re-establish the HMO stakeholder group, particularly given the increase in licensed HMOs in the Borough.  

·        A member of the Committee suggested that the impacts of high densities of HMOs should be taken into account when considering Article 4 directions.  The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead indicated that the paper prepared for the EAB would consider such issues and the Lead Councillor for Community and Housing indicated that the issues would be discussed fully by the EAB.

·        The Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead welcomed suggestions to promote good landlords and to provide further information for landlords on the Council’s website.

·        A member of the Committee, also an EAB Chair, requested that the paper on HMO controls to be considered by her EAB include details on the additional HMO licensing scheme.  She suggested that, in addition to an EAB meeting, an EAB task group to look at HMO related issues might be needed.

The meeting was advised by the Chairman that if necessary the Committee could revisit the issue of HMOs following its consideration by an EAB.

The Chairman thanked the Lead Councillor for Community and Housing and the Private Sector Housing and Pollution Lead for attending and answering questions.

RESOLVED:  That the progress made implementing the changes to mandatory HMO licensing since 2018 and the recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny from 2014 be noted.