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Property regulation


Background

This subtopic deals with the wide powers vested in local housing authorities (LHAs) in respect of property-related issues regarding the safety and condition premises; tenant protection from unscrupulous landlords and antisocial behaviour within their area of control.

There are a broad range of matters for which the LHA has responsibility and/or powers, including:

HMO regulation

The Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 (HA 2004) concerns the regulation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) introducing compulsory licensing for most types of HMOs. All HMOs are subject to management regulation. The duties are imposed on the HMO manager (the owner or lessee who collects rents from tenants or licensees) and include taking safety measures, maintaining water supply and drainage, supplying and maintaining gas and electricity, maintaining common parts, and providing waste facilities. There are two types of HMO licensing: mandatory, and additional licensing (when a local authority can impose a licensing scheme on other categories of HMOs in its area that are not subject to mandatory licensing). See Practice Notes:

  1. •

    Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

  2. •

    Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)—licensing regime, and

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