Mandatory HMO licensing for self contained flats?

[red40]

This should interest anybody who owns a HMO that was converted before 1991 and consists solely of self contained flats. Please read on and look at this link to the DCLG and download the bottom link.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501783

Any thoughts anybody? :confused:

[Poppy]

LICENSING OF HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMO) - DRAFT CONVERTED BLOCKS OF FLATS (SECTION 257) REGULATIONS
Publication title: Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) - Draft Converted Blocks of Flats (Section 257) Regulations
Audience: Landlords, local authorities, tenants and other key stakeholders
Date published: 24 July 2006
Section 257 HMOs are blocks that have been converted into self-contained flats that do not, at least, comply with the 1991 Building Regulations standards and where less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied.

I copied the above text from the Department for Communities and Local Government website (DCLG) (formerly ODPM).

My interpretation of it is:

If someone has converted a building into self-contained flats AND
it does not comply with 1991 Building Regulations AND
less than two thirds of the flats is occupied by an owner
Then it will require licensing as a HMO

Else it does not require licensing
I therefore do not see this licensing applying to every single self-contained flat in a converted building.

What are the likely standards, according to the 1991 Building Regulations, that these flats do not comply with? Anyone? Anyone?

[red40]

Having read these draft regs over and over again, it would appear that they are only including licensing part of these draft regs for 'additional licensing', although the management will apply to all self contained flats.

[philelmer]

I copied the above text from the Department for Communities and Local Government website (DCLG) (formerly ODPM).

My interpretation of it is:

If someone has converted a building into self-contained flats AND
it does not comply with 1991 Building Regulations AND
less than two thirds of the flats is occupied by an owner
Then it will require licensing as a HMO

Else it does not require licensing
I therefore do not see this licensing applying to every single self-contained flat in a converted building.

What are the likely standards, according to the 1991 Building Regulations, that these flats do not comply with? Anyone? Anyone?

Looks to me, after i took an interest in this yesterday following my post in the rented property section, that the biggest stumbling block is the integrated mains-powered fire alarm systems. It seems that to install one in a 3-storey house is running into the few thousand pounds zone.

I don't know of anything else..... but i'd be interested to learn.....

[red40]

My interpretation of it is:

If someone has converted a building into self-contained flats AND
it does not comply with 1991 Building Regulations AND
less than two thirds of the flats is occupied by an owner
Then it will require licensing as a HMO

Else it does not require licensing
I therefore do not see this licensing applying to every single self-contained flat in a converted building.

What are the likely standards, according to the 1991 Building Regulations, that these flats do not comply with? Anyone? Anyone?

These new draft regs wouldn't apply in my opinion to self contained flats for the purposes of mandatory licensing as they are exempt under statutory instrument 371, which exempts converted blocks of flats.

Standards are different matter for 'only' buildings converted pre 1991, interlinked alarms, fire doors, etc would almost certainly be a necessity. What the government are looking for is a decent home and by means of legislation they are trying to achieve this on, the lower end of the housing market.