Recently, landlords across the UK have been vocal in their criticism of the government’s HMO licensing scheme, which they claim is discriminatory and unfair. The scheme, which was introduced in 2006, requires landlords to obtain a license in order to rent out a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The scheme has been controversial since its introduction, with landlords arguing that it is overly burdensome and costly. They have also argued that the scheme discriminates against certain types of landlords, such as those who own smaller properties or those who rent out to students.
The government has defended the scheme, arguing that it is necessary to ensure that all HMOs meet minimum standards of safety and comfort. However, landlords have argued that the scheme is too restrictive and does not take into account the unique needs of different types of tenants. For example, landlords renting to students often need to provide additional facilities such as shared kitchens and bathrooms, which are not covered by the scheme.
In addition, landlords have criticised the cost of obtaining a license, which can be up to £500 for a three-year period. This is a significant expense for many landlords, particularly those with smaller properties. Furthermore, the cost of renewing a license every three years can be prohibitively expensive for some landlords.
The government has responded to these criticisms by introducing a new system of ‘proportionate licensing’. This system allows landlords to apply for a license based on the size and type of property they are renting out, rather than a blanket fee for all HMOs. This is intended to make the scheme more affordable for smaller landlords.
Despite this change, many landlords remain critical of the scheme. They argue that it is still overly restrictive and fails to take into account the unique needs of different types of tenants. Furthermore, they argue that the cost of obtaining and renewing a license is still too high for many landlords.
It remains to be seen whether the government will respond to these criticisms and make further changes to the HMO licensing scheme. In the meantime, landlords are continuing to voice their concerns about what they see as an overly restrictive and discriminatory system.