Salford Council hopes to crack down on poorly converted HMOs after inspections found a staggering 99% failed to meet housing and fire safety standards.

It wants to bring in a citywide Section 257 additional HMO licensing scheme, to improve standards in approximately 425 properties in the city that have been poorly converted into flats.

A council report explains that 97% of properties did not comply with minimum fire safety requirements, while 84% lacked adequate protected escape routes and 80% had either no fire alarm system, or shoddy systems.

It says this indicates a “systemic failure among landlords to understand and implement essential fire safety measures, placing tenants at significant risk”. Many properties were found to suffer from poor maintenance, damp, and inadequate energy efficiency, resulting in cold and unhealthy living environments.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that many Section 257 HMOs in Salford are poorly managed, posing serious risks to tenant safety and negatively impacting the wider community, according to the council. Problems are compounded by the difficulty in identifying and regulating them under current frameworks, as many fall outside existing licensing schemes and landlords are not required to notify the council.

The inspection programme also highlighted inconsistent landlord practices, ranging from neglect to lack of awareness.

Research

Salford City mayor Paul Dennett says its research is concerning. He adds: “These findings make it clear that as a local authority we should give consideration to use powers available to us and take action. People should be able to rely on a safe and well-managed home in this city. And residents living near HMOs should not have to put up with antisocial behaviour.”

The proposed licence fee is £1,431 for HMOs with between two and four flats, £1,711 for between five and eight flats and £1,991 for more than nine flats. The council is exploring options for landlords who own multiple properties and extended payment terms.

Salford already has a city-wide additional HMO licensing scheme and a selective scheme covering Broughton and Kersal and Broughton Park. The council will decide whether to launch a consultation into this new scheme at its cabinet meeting next week.

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