Housing

Houses in multiple occupation registration scheme

Housing Act 2004 - Mandatory Licensing

From 6 April 2006, the Housing Act 2004 requires that some rented properties need to be licensed. The government has therefore introduced Mandatory Licensing, a scheme to be applied across the whole of the country. It requires larger houses in multiple occupation (where many unrelated people live) to be licensed.

New definition of a house in multiple occupation:

Houses in Multiple Occupation have been redefined by the Housing Act 2004. Houses in Multiple Occupation which need to have a license are those where there are:

5 or more tenants, forming 2 or more households. They use shared facilities such as toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and so on; and
The property has 3 or more floors. This will include cellars, basements and loft conversions

The government allows councils to introduce other types of licensing, which could require other types of property to be licensed. There has to be a reason for this being done. An example is that there may be antisocial behaviour problems, in an identified area of the borough.

Why licensing has been introduced

Licensing has been brought in to improve management and standards in these types of buildings. This is because in such houses there are greater risks of fire and problems of people having to share facilities.

According to figures, Houses in Multiple Occupation have some of the worst living standards with the poorest people living in them. Licensing is a way to reduce these problems.

It also recognises landlords whose buildings are in very good condition.

If you think your property may need to be licensed, or you need any advice, please telephone Barking and Dagenham Direct on 020 8215 3002. They will take all your details and will get someone from the Private Sector Housing Team to contact you.