Housing Solicitors

Kingston Council is reviewing a licensing scheme for shared rental properties, which comes to an end in 2017.

The AHMOL scheme regulates smaller rental properties in multiple occupancy – and the council is seeking public views about its renewal.

Kingston Council introduced Additional Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing (AHMOL) in 2012 to improve housing standards across shared rental properties not covered under the mandatory licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Smaller in size than the borough’s 170 mandatory licensed HMO properties, AHMOL properties are defined as rented, two-storey dwellings with five or more occupants from two or more families, sharing facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens.

There are 165 registered AHMOL properties in the borough, which are home to an estimated 1,000 people.

The average licence fee, which is related to property size and is paid by the landlord, is around £800 for the duration of the five-year scheme.

Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing at Kingston Council, Councillor Cathy Roberts, said:

“This discretionary licensing scheme can be used by local authorities that have a high number of smaller shared rental properties in their area.

“Kingston has a large student population – AHMOL helps to protect them and other people living in shared accommodation from unscrupulous landlords.

“To obtain a licence, landlords need to comply with stipulated safety standards, which safeguards against poor housing conditions and stops overcrowding.

“The council has to review discretionary services before deciding if they should be continued or not – we believe the scheme is helping to drive up standards for renters, but we want to hear from residents about their experiences of the scheme, whether directly or indirectly involved with it.

Cllr Roberts said that the council was often made aware of properties which fit the AHMOL criteria through reports from the public relating to noise, disruption or suspected overcrowding, which are then investigated.

“The AHMOL scheme provides a useful framework for responsible landlords, who want to do right by their tenants – and landlords who commit to improving living standards do better in the long run,” Cllr Roberts added.


The AHMOL public consultation closes on Friday 16 December 2016.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

• Debt management for homeowners
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• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Lease extensions
• Local Authority housing
• Mortgage repossession
• Notice to quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.