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Housing Solicitors

Royal Borough of Greenwich extends HMO licensing scheme (2 May 2017)

Date: 02/05/2017
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Royal Borough of Greenwich extends HMO licensing scheme

The Royal Borough of Greenwich in southeast London has approved an extension of the council's licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

HMO licensing is intended to ensure that housing with multiple tenants meets legal health and safety standards – and is well run and provides sufficient essential bathroom and kitchen facilities for tenants.

There is a legal obligation to license the largest HMOs that provide accommodation over three storeys or more to at least five residents.

Greenwich Council said that the policy approved on Wednesday means that all HMOs in the borough will be required to have a licence from 1 October 2017.

The council added there had been concern for some time about poor standards in the private rented sector in the borough. In 2013, the council invested additional funding to establish a team of officers to tackle the worst standards in privately rented accommodation.

The council’s housing team has visited more than 1,750 properties in total and has carried out over 1,330 formal investigations into unsatisfactory conditions. As a result, more than 2,200 hazards to tenants' health or safety have been identified.

An extensive public consultation was then carried out – and approximately 80% of residents and tenants who responded were in favour of the changes.

The council says the extended scheme will help the Royal Borough drive up accommodation standards and improve the management of HMOs.

In a statement the council said:

“HMO tenants living in a licensed HMO can rent with confidence, knowing that their landlord has passed a 'fit and proper person' check – and that the property will be inspected by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

“The majority of local landlords manage their properties responsibly and voluntarily take action to repair defects when we ask them to.

“Licensing also benefits these landlords, who can advertise a certified property to estate agents and prospective tenants, showing that their property is maintained in a responsible manner and meets legal standards.”


Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment, Councillor Jackie Smith, added:

“This extension of licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation delivers on so many fronts – it will help us root out rogue landlords renting out sub-standard and often unsafe accommodation to their tenants.

“It will aid our targeting of over-crowded HMOs – and the waste challenges that come with them, such as overflowing bins and fly-tipping.

“This licensing extension also strengthens our resolve in challenging the minority of landlords imposing unacceptable tenancy agreements and conditions on renters – often leading to the exploitation of minority groups and vulnerable tenants.”


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:

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


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