HMO Additional Licensing Consultation

Overview

A HMO or House in Multiple Occupation (commonly referred to as a ‘house share’) is a property shared by 3 or more persons from 2 or more unrelated households who share basic amenities at the property (washing, cooking or toilet facilities).

The Council administers a mandatory licensing scheme for properties occupied by 5 or more persons. An additional licensing scheme would allow the council to licence properties containing 3 or more persons as per the above definition.

An additional licensing scheme will allow the council to maintain property standards in a much larger number of properties across the borough. Unregulated HMO’s account for a large portion of poorly managed property in our area, often afflicted by problems with disrepair and poor conditions, crime and ASB and unscrupulous property owners who value profit over safety. Our last additional licensing scheme concluded in 2016 and was very successful in driving up property standards in the borough.  

In order to implement the additional licensing scheme, the Council must consult with those likely to be affected by HMO’s and the implementation of an additional licensing scheme. Below are a series of questions divided into sections dependent upon whether you are a HMO operator, tenant, someone who lives near a HMO or a member of the public.

The Council would greatly appreciate your time to complete the below survey in order to effectively implement any additional licensing scheme. 

Landlord drop-in sessions

• Wednesday 12th June 2024 - Rochdale Housing Solutions, No.2 Smith Street (16:30 to 18:30)
• Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Rochdale Housing Solutions, No.2 Smith Street (16:30 to 18:30)