Norwich Council is overhauling its HMO policy by bringing in higher standards and tougher enforcement action.

It has proposed several key changes including annual gas safety checks, five-yearly electrical inspections, and regular checks on emergency escape lighting. There will also be clearer occupancy limits to prevent overcrowding, such as that people of different sexes over 10 years old can’t share a room unless they are married or cohabiting.

Waste management will be improved with stricter rules requiring landlords to comply with council collection schemes and to secure trade waste agreements.

The council will also clarify landlords’ responsibilities, subject them to increased inspections, and take stronger enforcement against non-compliant landlords. Clearer guidance includes a fit and proper person test along with detailed information on fire safety and licence conditions. Tenant complaints regarding anti-social behaviour will be followed up, and landlords will be told to take appropriate action, including eviction if necessary.

Simplified

Fees will also be simplified with a new two-stage structure, making costs clearer and fairer to reflect the costs of administration and enforcement, says the council.

It plans to remove one- and three-year licence options, so that all licences will be for five-years. Its new risk-based approach aims to tackle licence breaches, using statutory powers to revoke and vary licences.

There are about 1,000 licensed HMOs in Norwich. Although it doesn’t have an additional licensing scheme, its report says it “reserves the right to consider implementation of a scheme of additional licensing at any point in the future”.

A public consultation ends on 24th March. The council will also hold future focus groups with landlords; contact the council.