Southampton City HMO Licensing Changes
Do you own a residential investment property in Southampton? Is it a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)? If the answer is yes, you need to be aware of the forthcoming changes to the mandatory and additional licensing which takes effect in October 2018.
From the 1st October 2018 mandatory licensing will no longer be limited to certain HMO’s that are three storey or higher. The new requirements will cover one or two storey properties which are occupied by five or more persons, from two or more separate households.
Additional HMO licensing will also take effect from 1st October with a new scheme covering the wards of Bevois, Bargate, Portswood and Swaythling. This will cover all HMO’s in this area that are not covered by Mandatory HMO Licensing. This will include HMO’s with 3 or 4 tenants and include purpose built flats with five or more occupants that are situated in a block comprising three or more self-contained flats. This will expire in 2023 when this additional designation ends.
These changes follow the changes made in 2015 when a second additional scheme was introduced in the wards of Shirley, Freemantle, Millbrook and Bassett. Information has been obtained from Southampton City Council and checks can be made via their website www.southampton.gov.uk.
Primmer Olds BAS can assist with applications, advise on the purchase or sale of residential investments and the ongoing property management. To discuss how we can help please contact us or call 023 8022 2292.