Shared properties are more formally known as ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation’ or HMOs. Currently, only houses with three or more storeys let to five or more unrelated tenants require a licence. However from 1 October, under new legislation, any property regardless of storeys, which is let to five or more unrelated people will need to hold a licence from Warwick District Council. Those who fail to get a licence are committing an offence and may be subject to a fixed penalty notice of up to £30,000 or face prosecution.

The new rules affect several hundred known HMO properties in Warwick district and over the past few months the Council’s Private Sector Housing team has been working with landlords to support them through the licensing process, carrying out property inspections to make sure they are safe and meet the required standards.

Councillor Peter Phillips, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, commented; “We very much welcome these changes to HMO licensing, which give both tenants and landlords in our district reassurance that their property meets the highest standards of safety.”

“I would urge all landlords to contact us as soon as possible to ensure that they are fully compliant by the 1st October deadline.”

If you are a tenant or landlord with questions about your property, visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/hmo or contact the Private Sector Housing team:

• By phone – 01926 456358
• By email – privatesectorhousing@warwickdc.gov.uk