Brighton & Hove Additional and Selective Licensing Consultation – 4 October 2023 to 3 January 2024

Date: Wednesday 4 October 2023 to Wednesday 3 January 2024

About: Brighton & Hove City Council has launched a consultation on plans to implement new additional and selective licensing schemes.

In Brighton & Hove, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) currently need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.

The council are consulting on plans to implement two further property licensing schemes.

Before making a decision, the council wants to hear from tenants, landlords, residents, businesses and anyone with an interest in the area who may be affected by the proposed schemes.

Proposed additional licensing scheme

Brighton & Hove City Council is proposing a city wide additional licensing scheme which would extend licensing to HMOs that are occupied by three or four people who are not all related and share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.

The council have decided to exclude HMOs that only comprise a single storey. For example, a bungalow or self-contained flat on one level.

Proposed selective licensing scheme

Brighton & Hove City Council is also proposing a selective licensing scheme covering four council wards where evidence demonstrates a clear link between poor property conditions, deprivation and private rented homes: Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queens Park and Whitehawk & Marina.

They are also considering a second phase scheme covering a further thirteen council wards on the grounds of poor property conditions: Brunswick & Adelaide, Central Hove, Goldsmid, Hanover & Elm Grove, Hollingdean & Fiveways, Preston Park, Regency, Rottingdean & West Saltdean, Round Hill, South Portslade, West Hill & North Laine, Westbourne & Poets Corner and Wish.

All properties in the designated areas that are privately rented to single households (or two sharers) will need to be licensed.

The intention is that both licensing schemes would run for a period of 5 years.

Find out about the proposed licensing schemes.

Public meetings

A series of meetings (online and face-to-face) to outline property licensing schemes’ proposals are being arranged. You will be able to have your say and ask any questions.

Details of the meetings are below.

• Landlords and landlord organisations: 30 October 2023, 6pm to 8pm - Online  
• Letting and Managing agents: 2 November 2023, 6pm to 8pm - Online
• Community groups - acting for private rented sector tenants: 11 November 2023, 10 am to 12 pm at Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD
• Private rented tenants: 14 November 2023, 4pm to 6pm - Online
• All interested persons, e.g. residents, businesses and public sector organisations: 18 November 2023, 10 am to 12 pm at Brighthelm Church & Community Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD
• All interested parties meeting (for residents, businesses, public sector organisations and any other interested person or organisation): 5 December 2023, 10 am to 12 pm - Online 

To find out more and register to attend one of the meetings, send an email to ConsultPropertyLicensing@cjassociates.co.uk.

Share your views

Once you have studied the proposals, you can completed the proposed additional licensing scheme questionnaire and the proposed selective licensing questionnaire online.

The consultation closes on 3 January 2024.

If you need any help with the consultation, you can contact the council on 01273 293 156 or email ConsultPropertyLicensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk.