Commencement of New Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

From 6 April 2006 owners and managers of certain HMOs are required by law to obtain a licence.  In Forest Heath the requirement is to obtain a licence for any property that is:

• three storeys or more (storey includes residential basements, attics and commercial units); and
• Occupied by five or more persons who are not all members of the same family but share one or more basic amenities (kitchens or bathrooms)

I need a licence - what do I do next?

Make contact with the local council where the property is located so that they can advise you on the procedures to be followed.  Forest Heath District Council wants to make the process of obtaining a licence as user friendly as possible and we are currently finalising procedures as of 6 April 2006.  (We are also seeking clarification from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on a number of points).

We therefore ask that you telephone 01638 719284 at your earliest opportunity to register with us your details and the list of your properties for licensing.  We will then provide written confirmation of the details you have registered.

This will enable Forest Heath District Council to send you full details of licensing, including an application pack and guidance notes, as soon as they are available.

Important note: Unless you receive written notification from the Council regarding the details you have registered then you must assume that it has not received that information.  Please contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 01638 719284 if you are in any doubt about your registration status.

I've registered my details - what other preparations for licensing are needed?

The following documents will be required in support of your licence application:

1. A plan for the property detailing the layout and position of each room (minimum A4 size)
2. A valid CORGI certificate covering all gas appliances in the HMO (where applicable)
3. An inspection report covering the electrical installation within the HMO (undertaken by a competent electrician within the last five years)
4. BS5839 Test Report for the fire detection system (where applicable) 
5. BS5266 Test Report for the emergency lighting system (where applicable)
6. A valid Test Report covering all portable electrical appliances provided with the property

You are therefore strongly advised to make all necessary arrangements so that you have these documents in your possession as soon as possible.  Your licence application will not be valid without them.

What are the Licence fees?

Forest Heath District Council has approved the following fee structure for HMO licensing:

1. A Basic Fee of £500 per licensable property
2. A Supplementary Fee of £100 for up to five units of accommodation, £200 for 5-10 units of accommodation and £300 for more than 10 units of accommodation

However the basic fee will be reduced by £250 where:

1. the applicant has already been granted a licence for another property in the District of Forest Heath
2. the applicant is a registered charity operating on a not for profit basis

This fee structure has been designed to reflect the actual costs to the Council of the administration process for individual licences according to the amount of work required.