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Council urges rental property owners to get licenced before deadline

Author: Nina Romain

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Barnet Council is urging landlords and agents to get their applications in before 4 October 2016 for their houses in multiple occupation (HMO) - to avoid higher fees or enforcement action and ensure all tenants have a safe home.

Licences help to protect the health and safety of the tenants in a growing rental sector, and reduce the impact that HMOs can have on local neighbourhoods. The licence will also ensure that only suitable landlords have control of HMOs, and that these properties are managed properly.

Barnet Council issued its first HMO Licence in August to a landlord under the new Additional Licencing Scheme, which was introduced on 5 July - targeting more than 3,800 HMOs.

Councillor Tom Davey, Chairman of the Housing Committee, said: “Improving the quality of living for HMOs is vital to myself and Barnet Council.”

“We know our borough is a popular place to live and work, so we need to ensure everyone here has a safe, well-managed place to live.”

“These changes will not only improve the borough as a whole - they are also a positive step towards creating a better regulated HMO rental sector to ensure tenants’ quality of life.”

“That’s why we look forward to hearing from more landlords who need to make the deadline and continue to make Barnet a great place to live.”