News
Borough wide additional licensing scheme has been introduced in Haringey
A new additional HMO licensing scheme covering an estimated 17,000 Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was implemented throughout the London Borough of Haringey on 27 May 2019.
A smaller additional licensing scheme covering just the Tottenham had been in place for five years until it ended on 30 April 2019.
The new property licensing scheme was approved at the council’s Cabinet meeting on 12 February 2019 after completing a public consultation exercise (read here).
Under the new scheme, all HMOs occupied by three or more people who are not all related need to be licensed by the council. The scheme includes house and flat shares occupied by students and young professionals, properties converted into bedsits and properties comprising a mixture of self-contained and non-self-contained flats.
The council have also included all section 257 HMOs within the new scheme, whereas the previous scheme was more restrictive. These are properties converted entirely into self-contained flats, where less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied and where the building conversion does not meet the relevant building regulations. By doing so, some Haringey long leaseholders could find their building in now a licensable HMO.
Application process
Whilst Haringey Council are looking to implement a new online application system, we understand it is not yet ready and so landlords need to download an application form from the council’s website and complete it by hand.
All licence applications should have been submitted by 27 May 2019 and so any landlords and agents who have not yet applied should do so as soon as possible to minimise the compliance risk.
Application fees
Whilst a fee discount was offered to landlords who applied before 27 May, that discount has now ended. The standard application fee for a property with up to 10 units of accommodation is £1,100.
The cost is payable in two instalments – £500 at time of application and a further £600 when the application has been processed and is ready for approval.
Enforcement
Those who don’t apply for a licence or fail to comply with licence conditions can face a fixed penalty of up to £30,000 or a criminal prosecution with the risk of an unlimited fine. Landlords of unlicensed properties can also be forced to refund their tenants up to 12 months rent. Serious offenders can be banned from letting homes and placed on a rogue landlord and agent database.
A free guide containing more detailed information about property licensing schemes in the London Borough of Haringey is available here.
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