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14/7/25 8:13 pm
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Peterborough is set to introduce an additional licensing scheme in the city despite opposition from private landlords.
The council hopes to approve plans next week which will cost £1,100 for a five-year licence for all three and four person HMOs comprising two or more households. The move follows a public consultation this summer in which 75% of residents said the council should have control over how HMO landlords operate their properties while 65% supported additional licensing being introduced.
However, both Propertymark and the NRLA urged the council to reconsider borough-wide licensing, while 77% of landlords said they didn’t support it. One commented: “The council should be helping landlords who have problems with tenants who destroy property or don’t pay rent. Start a Problem Tenants Register that landlords can access and report problems encountered.”
There are an estimated 2,500 HMOs in the city - up from 1,410 in 2011 - although the number of smaller HMOs is unknown, according to the council, which reports that 563 properties are currently licensed, with a further focus on about 200 mandatory HMOs also believed to be licensable. It believes there are 2,000 unlicensed HMOs, most of which will be three to four bedrooms.
Councillor Christian Hogg, cabinet member for housing and regulatory services, says it’s fully aware of concerns from residents across the city regarding poorly managed HMOs and the negative effects these can have on communities.
“Our selective licensing initiative has already proved successful and helped enhance standards of homes in the private rented sector,” he adds. “We now want to focus at improving conditions in HMOs and I look forward to seeing additional licensing make a positive difference in our communities.”
The application process and property inspections will be delivered in partnership by Home Safe, which delivers the council’s selective licensing scheme. If approved, the additional scheme will start in January.
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