Tamworth Council plans to introduce additional licensing in a bid to stop developers targeting the borough because it lacks the planning and licensing restrictions in force elsewhere.

The Staffordshire authority reports that there has been a noticeable rise in the number of new four-bedroom HMOs being let in the borough in recent months. There are currently 131 known HMOs locally, with a further 29 under review but as there's no requirement to register smaller HMOs, it believes the true number is likely to be higher.

Developers have also increasingly contacted the council after identifying Tamworth as an area without additional licensing and Article 4 planning restrictions, which appears to be contributing to this growth. It reckons many of these developers actively seek out boroughs with fewer regulatory requirements and less red tape, making unregulated areas particularly attractive for the rapid creation of smaller HMOs.

Evidence

It says evidence shows that unlicensed HMOs can present serious issues, particularly around fire safety and safe means of escape, often due to a lack of awareness of legal responsibilities. The proposed additional licensing scheme aims to address this gap by making sure all HMOs meet required safety and quality standards, enabling proactive inspections and stronger enforcement where necessary.

Councillor Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning, adds: “HMOs play an important role in providing affordable and flexible accommodation for many people across the borough, and we want to ensure they are safe, well managed and provide good-quality homes for tenants. The proposed additional licensing scheme is about supporting responsible landlords, protecting residents and giving the council the tools it needs to identify and address issues before they become more serious.”

Tamworth has urged landlords and letting agents to take part in its consultation which runs until 20th August.

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