
Local politicians have urged colleagues to consider introducing additional licensing and an Article 4 direction in Telford & Wrekin.
Members of the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve plans for a consultation when they meet next week (4th December) so it can find out where all HMOs are located and study the potential impact of new HMOs on the wider community and local services.
The council launched its Better Homes for All initiative in 2018 to raise standards in the rented sector and address poorly managed, unsafe HMOs. It says this has delivered real improvements across the borough and resulted in a number of successful prosecutions that have driven significant upgrades to HMOs.
Its subsequent Safer & Stronger Communities Project in 2021 aimed to help residents feel safer in their homes and also resulted in prosecutions and civil penalties where HMO conditions fell short, reports the council. However, it believes there is still more to do to create fairer standards for landlords and ensure more tenants live in safe, well-maintained homes.
Councillor Richard Overton, deputy leader and cabinet member for highways, housing and enforcement (pictured), says it wants to create consistency across the sector by extending HMO licensing, giving tenants greater protection and holding landlords to clear, enforceable standards.
“It would also strengthen the council’s ability to take action against rogue landlords and ensures a level playing field for those who are doing the right thing,” explains Overton.
“The proposal to introduce an Article 4 direction would also give the council greater control over where HMOs are located, helping to prevent over-concentration in certain areas and support balanced, sustainable communities.”
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