Stanmore HMO Consultation
In the Stanmore area there are a number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), these have the potential to cause problems to occupiers or the public. The City Council are considering adopting additional powers to licence these premises. The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views about this proposal.
A HMO is a property which has three or more tenants forming two or more households and are frequently bed-sit type houses or student shared homes. The 2004 Housing Act requires local authorities to licence houses which have 3 or more storeys and have at least 5 people living in them, this is known as mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The Act also gives local authorities the power to tackle the poor management of HMOs which are not covered by mandatory licensing and this is known as 'additional licensing'.
This map has identified an area with a high number of HMOs. Winchester City Council does not currently have the powers to licence the majority of these properties, but it is being proposed that it will be able to in the future. More information about the consultation can be found in the Consultation Document.
Your views will help influence the decision local Councillors take, to decide whether to give Winchester City Council additional HMO licensing powers. Please take a few moments to complete the survey and as a small reward for helping us with this consultation all completed surveys received by the closing date will be entered into a draw with a chance to win £50 of shopping vouchers for a store of your choice.
The survey can be found -www.Surveymonkey.com/s/Stanmore_HMO
Respondents should be aware that an Additional Licensing Scheme will have no impact on limiting or preventing the expansion of HMO properties in the Stanmore neighbourhood. The possible continued increase in HMOs can only be controlled by planning legislation and not Housing Act legislation.
Public Meetings
- The residents meeting will be on Wednesday 12 October 2011
- The landlords and agents meeting will on Wednesday 13 July 2011
Both meetings will be held at, Winchester Family Church, Stanmore Lane, SO22 4BT and will start at 6:30pm and aim to finish by 8:30pm. Tea & coffee will be available.
If you require information in different formats i.e. large print, different languages please call us on 01962 848 483.