The Council designated the whole of the City subject to Additional Licensing of HMOs in 2010 which was phased into effect from the 24 January 2011 and 31 January 2012. Each Phase of the scheme was designated for 5 years and during this time the Council must undertake a review.  The report submitted to the June CEB provided findings from a review of the impact of the scheme.  CEB agreed to proceed with a consultation exercise regarding the future of the Additional Licensing scheme.

The report to be submitted to the October CEB will set out the results of the consultation exercise for Additional Licensing and set out recommendations for the future of the scheme.

The Executive Director for Community Services submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed findings from a review carried out for the HMO Licensing Scheme and sought approval to conduct a statutory consultation to renew the scheme in January 2016.

Cllr Seamons, Executive Board Member for Housing presented the report. He said that the review had identified a number of successes but that there remained a large volume of work to do to regulate the service and improve standards.

The Service Manager Environmental Health and HMO Enforcement Team Manager outlined the arrangements for the consultation which would include an on-line questionnaire, roadshows, focus groups with students and ethnic tenants, and meetings with ward councillors and local resident groups.

Cllr Brown raised concerns about the growing problem of “beds in sheds” and “hot bedding” in parts of the city.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    NOTE the Review of Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2015;

2.    NOTE that the Review indicates that a significant proportion of HMOs in the Council`s area are being managed ineffectively;

3.    INSTRUCT Officers of the Council to proceed with a statutory 10 week consultation on the basis that it is necessary to renew the licensing scheme in its entirety for a further 5 years from the 25 January 2016 (Option 3);

4.    REQUEST a future report in October 2015 setting out the results of the statutory consultation and the proposed future of the licensing scheme.