Landlords who rent out a property to five or more tenants with shared facilities will require a licence from Monday 1 October 2018.

Currently landlords of properties where there is more than one household only require a licence if the building is three or more storeys. This is changing and from October 1 2018, all landlords will need a licence for each property they own if there are five or more people living there who are living in two or more separate households and are sharing facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen.

More information about the new requirements is available on the council’s website at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/HMO.  

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and wellbeing said:

“We have been contacting landlords and letting agents directly and trying to find multi-occupied properties where we believe a licence may be required.  There will be ones we don’t know about and we are asking tenants, landlords and residents to get in touch if they think they know a property which may now need a licence.

He added;

“The changes are intended to improve the overall standard and safety of letting. There are strict safety standards which landlords need to comply with to get a licence.  Our team is ready to help people understand what they need to do to meet the regulations and apply for a licence.”

The Private Sector Housing Team can be contacted by emailing privatesectorhousing@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or calling 01562 732190.