Thurrock landlords will be hit by a pricey new HMO licensing scheme that has just launched in the Essex borough.
Additional licensing for smaller HMOs was successfully trialled in 11 wards in Thurrock and is now being introduced boroughwide in a bid to improve living conditions in shared homes. Landlords will now need to stump up £1,040 to licence a property with between two and five tenants.
Many additional schemes in England cost from around £800 for a five-year licence, but Thurrock’s isn’t the most expensive outside London; Bristol landlords pay £1,861 and those in Nottingham pay a flat fee of £1,553 for any HMO with up to nine bedrooms.
Thurrock believes HMO licensing has already helped it enforce better standards in HMOs, making sure that adequate facilities are provided to tenants and that properties are safe, secure and well managed.
“Additional licensing will mean that we will be able to do this for smaller HMOs as well,” explains councillor Mark Hurrell (main image), cabinet member for social housing.
“As well as improving the quality of life for those living in HMOs, this type of scheme can also bring benefits for neighbours. High standard and well managed HMOs will attract good tenants who are more likely to respect the home they live in and their neighbours.”
Earlier this summer, Thurrock revealed that landlords could face a £765 bill for delaying their selective licence application when it launches its scheme.
The authority hopes to introduce licencing in every ward except Little Thurrock Blackshots, Orsett, Stifford Clays, and The Homesteads, and has set the standard fee at £1,002, which jumps to £1,767 if landlords fail to apply within 12 weeks of the scheme’s launch date. Those applying on paper would also be hit with a £500 surcharge.
Kamma reports that 29 selective and additional schemes have been confirmed so far this year - a new record.
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