Council checks
on HMOs
Over the past decade the
private rented sector (excluding
housing associations) in
Crawley has increased from
approximately 5.5 per cent
to 14 per cent in 2008.
Some of this private rented
accommodation is in ‘houses
in multiple occupation’
(HMOs), commonly referred
to as ‘shared accommodation’.
Crawley Council has a duty
to regulate these and here
we explain what measures
are being taken to ensure that
HMOs in the town are safe,
secure and comply with the law.
Legislation around HMOs is complex The council will then contact all landlords
(see box) so the council works with whose properties do not meet the required what is
landlords to ensure that they understand housing standards, advise them of the
what they can and cannot do. deficiencies and ask them how they
an HMo?
intend to bring their properties up to
The council has a list of properties in standard. The council expects most
HMO stands for house in multiple occupation and
Crawley that may be an HMO and has landlords will cooperate over organising
is a dwelling of two storeys or more with three or
employed a company to visit and inspect the work but if the necessary improvements
more people in it forming two or more households.
them to confirm whether they are HMOs are not made, the council will look to
The council has developed a set of standards for two
and assess their housing conditions. take enforcement action.
storey dwellings, based on national guidance. These
These inspections finish in March.
Having effective regulation of HMOs
cover basic amenities, including separate kitchens and
can make a significant difference to
bathrooms, as well as fire safety. The council believes
those people living in sub-standard
there to be in excess of 240 of these in Crawley.
accommodation. It can also have a
If the HMO is three storeys or more with five or more
positive impact on the surrounding
people forming two or more households the landlord
environment and for those residents
needs a licence. There are between 40 and 50 of
living in neighbouring properties.
these type of HMOs in Crawley.
Members of the public can report It’s a criminal offence for a landlord to have an
HMOs by emailing ps.housing@ HMO without a licence and fines can be up to
crawley.gov.uk or via the website or £20,000. Landlords get these licences from Crawley
phone numbers below. Borough Council.
A five-year licence costs between £933 and £2,438,
01293 438418
dependant on the size and type of the property.
If a tenant is renting in an unlicensed, three-storey
01293 438267 HMO they can actually reclaim up to all of the rent
they have paid.
WWW.CRAWLEy.GOV.uK/
PSH
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