Are you thinking about investing in HMOs? Please do not advertise the application in a local newspaper until you have received confirmation from the Licensing Authority that the application include all the required information. There are landlord accreditation schemes operated by the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, the National Landlords Association (NLA) and the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). It is important to note that new absolute minimum bedroom sizes for licensed HMOs have been introduced for HMO licence applications approved on or after 1 October 2018: The council can still ask for larger minimum sizes. Yes, Tower Hamlets Council recently consulted on plans to renew their selective licensing scheme for another five years. The additional licensing scheme started on 1 April 2019. What is the minimum size for a bedroom in a licensed HMO? Why Rent Repayment Orders can pose a significant financial risk for private landlords, Important changes to section 21 notice of seeking possession procedure after 1 October 2018, Court decides that property licensing fees must be charged in two stages and the names of occupants cannot be demanded on a licence renewal application, Conviction for managing an unlicensed HMO quashed on appeal: an application must be decided before instigating a prosecution, Environmental Health and Housing: issues in public health, Selective licensing and licence conditions - the Court of Appeal gives a narrow interpretation to local authority powers, Khan and Reid: the Upper Tribunal considers the length of landlords’ property licences, The absolute tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire, The court of appeal gives guidance on the use of housing improvement notices, The importance of client money protection for landlords and tenants. We will send you 4 emails: 24 hours before, 1 hour before, when the webcast goes live and when it is archived. We would strongly encourage you to contact the Council’s Planning Department or seek independent legal advice before you start a new HMO development. This does suggest there are still a lot of properties where no licence application has yet been submitted. Tower Hamlets was restricted to licensing only 20% of its private landlords because of a change in the law in 2015. Report this profile Activity Thank you Dr. West for your contribution. A copy of the Public Notice can be viewed in the ‘More Information’ box on the top right of this page. The HMO Article 4 has since been confirmed and came into force on 1 January 2021. If you find that you need a licence for your rented property our support doesn’t end there. High Court confirm strict liability for operators of unlicensed HMOs. Tower Hamlets is located north of the River Thames in East London. An end to “no fault” eviction? As the leading experts in property licensing, we also offer a range of services ourselves. Today: Lesley is counting on you. There are four main licensable activities: These are any premises serving hot food and hot drinks between the hours of 11pm and 5am including take-aways and restaurants. Whilst the fee rates are below average for the London boroughs, it says on the website you need to re-licence after three years rather than the five year period adopted by most councils. Can you transfer a mandatory HMO, additional or selective licence to a new owner? Tower Hamlets Council is the Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003 (the Act) and is responsible for granting licences in the Borough. If changes do occur within the licence period, the licence holder must inform the council. The fee is £547.50 (was £538 in 2019/20, £525 in 2018/19, £520 in 2015/16, £422 in 2014/15) for an online application plus £37 for each habitable room. Can you help me find the goods and services I need? Could a change in Prime Minister spark a change in policy for the PRS? Environmental Health & Trading Standards By January 2018, there were 725 accredited landlords, by January 2019 there were 897 accredited landlords, by January 2020 there were 973 accredited landlords and by January 2021 there were 1,108 accredited landlords, which is well above average when compared to all the London boroughs. The Council has introduced a Landlord Licensing Scheme that came into force on 1 st October 2018. You can find more information on the council’s website. It applies to all HMOs in the borough that are occupied by three or more people, except for those in the pre 2014 wards of Weavers, Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Banglatown. On 24 July 2019, Tower Hamlets Council made a non-immediate HMO Article 4 Direction that applies borough wide. Currently the scheme operates within three of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets wards. By February 2017, there were 273, by March 2018 there were 292 and by November 2018 there were 316 licenced HMOs listed in the public register. You need a selective licence if your property (house or flat) is let out to a single person, couple or single household in Whitechaple, Weavers, Spitalfields and Banglatown, based on the council ward boundaries that existed pre 22 May 2014 – in the west of the borough. In January 2016, they told us there were 618 accredited landlords in Tower Hamlets, which was the 8th highest out of all London boroughs. The meandering River Thames forms the southern boundary, the City of London lies to the west, Hackney is to the north, and Newham lies beyond the River Lea to the east. Does the Council take much housing enforcement action? By March 2018, the public register listed around 3,350 selectively licensed properties and by October 2018 the council said they had received about 5,000 applications. For example, it includes: Prior to 1 October 2018, the mandatory HMO licensing scheme only applied to properties that were three or more storeys in height, but that restriction has now been lifted. Helping landlords carry out regular safety checks and meet their legal obligations. There is also a selective licensing scheme that cane info force in 2016. For all the latest information, you can search for housing prosecutions on the Mayor of London’s ‘Rogue landlord and agent checker’, available here. Consultation opens . Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday, 2nd February 2021 at 5:30pm - Tower Hamlets Council webcasts London Borough of Tower Hamlets Statement of Licensing Policy 2018 - 2023 In February 2017, the council told us they had received approximately 2,100 applications under the selective licensing scheme of which about 1,000 have already been approved. This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. Changes to licensing in Tower Hamlets. Liked by Bobbette Newell-Bent. The council's current Statement of Licensing Policy, which includes a cumulative impact zone for the Brick Lane area and Bethnal Green area is published below and came into effect on 1 November 2018. In May 2019, Tower Hamlets Council told us they think there could be 9,000 properties that require a licence under the additional licensing scheme and 6,000 properties that need licensing under the selective licensing scheme. Whilst we don’t have any figures for the NLA or RLA schemes, we have got information about the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme that is supported by all the London Boroughs. Is a ‘let only’ agent responsible for HMO licensing? In summary, the Sub Committee will determine applications to grant, vary or review a license submitted under the Licensing Act 2003 where representations have been made. 2. New HMO licensing rules come into force today! Shared on Facebook. This is based on data published by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. An online application process has been introduced for the mandatory HMO, additional and selective licensing schemes. The Council issue a licence for a shorter term under some circumstances. We would advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). To find out more, you can read our free guide to mandatory HMO licensing (here). December 1, 2017. Tower Hamlets borough belongs to the historic county of Middlesex. You will need planning permission if you are changing your property from a single-family property to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) occupied by more than six people. Copies of the Licensing Act 2003 can be obtained from the Office of Public Sector Information. To find out more about becoming accredited, you can visit the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme website here. Tower Hamlets, inner borough of London, England, extending eastward from the Tower of London and including most of the East End of Inner London. The changes are not retrospective and so until that Direction comes into force, properties can still be converted under permitted development rules. Should mandatory HMO licensing be extended in 2016? If that has not worked, please contact us. A notice of appeal must be given to the justices’ chief executive for the Magistrates Court within a period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the appellant was notified by the Licensing Authority. On 24 July 2019, Tower Hamlets Council made a non-immediate HMO Article 4 Direction that applies borough wide and is due to come into force on 1 January 2021. Copies of the Licensing Act 2003 can be obtained from Office of Public Sector Information or a copy can be inspected at the council offices where you may also obtain an application form and further help or advice. Tower Hamlets landlords fined for breaching prohibition order on unsafe property Sunday, February 21, 2021 - Tower Hamlets Council A Prohibition Order came into force in September 2015 prohibiting the East Mount Street premises from being used for residential purposes. This consultation is required by law So, it would cost £732.50 for a shared house with five single person lettings and no communal living room. It is bordered by the boroughs of Hackney to the north, Newham to the east, the City of London to the west and with the River Thames to the south. 28 August 2020. Tower Hamlets landlords fined for breaching prohibition order on unsafe property, Pause routine electrical inspections and new property licensing schemes, Mayor of London launches new property licence checker, Tower Hamlets Council consulting on plans to renew their selective licensing scheme, Age UK London urge landlords to look out for their older tenants, Government encourage local authorities to pause new additional and selective licensing schemes, First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber postpone all London hearings in response to COVID19, Delay new property licensing schemes, says safeagent, New research finds over 130,000 unlicensed private rented properties in London, Tower Hamlets Council using planning powers to restrict new HMO developments, Review of LACORS fire safety guidance underway, Independent selective licensing review recommends the introduction of a national landlord register. Yes, the council has published HMO standards. The mandatory HMO and selective licensing registers can be viewed here and the additional licensing public register can be viewed here. Tower Hamlets Licensing: Do not allow another pub to be opened in the Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone. Yes, there do seem to be. London Property Licensing finalists at the FSB London Business Awards! Send a Facebook message. Please note that under the Licensing Act 2003, there is no provision for a refund. For small HMOs, the rules are a bit more complicated. It means you need a licence for any house or flat that is occupied by five or more people who are not all related and live in the property as their main home. From 1 April there will be three licensing schemes for privately rented properties in the borough. 13 December 2020. To reduce the spread of infection, a number of businesses and venues across the country must temporarily close, and not to open for trade. This site contains recent webcasts of Tower Hamlets Council’s Cabinet, Council and Overview & Scrutiny Committee meetings. Share on Facebook. Generation Rent UK . Our Landlord Suppliers Directory (view here) lists companies that offer a licence application handling service. Properties converted into a mixture of self-contained and non self-contained accommodation. Additional and selective licensing schemes cover part of the borough. New additional landlord licensing scheme starts in Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2019, New housing complaints resolution service will make redress scheme membership compulsory for all private landlords, NALS effective enforcement toolkit helps councils to tackle rogue letting agents, Supreme Court dismiss Nottingham City Council’s appeal: mode of occupation is relevant when assessing accommodation in a licensed HMO. The Directory concentrates on businesses that operate in the London area. Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals; Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities; and. A business operating in breach of these regulations will be committing an offence. The selective licensing scheme also applies to most HMOs in that area that are not already licensed under the mandatory HMO licensing scheme. If we hold the application then the original (or if necessary, amended) notice must be displayed until the end of the revised period. Property Redress in London: how does your Borough shape up? Tower Hamlets Council did not obtain any Rent Repayment Orders from the landlords of unlicensed HMOs over the six years from April 2011 to March 2017. The review application will be dealt with by way of a public hearing by the Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub-Committee. The consultation ran from 28 August to 13 December 2020. If you find that you need a licence for your rented property our support doesn’t end there. You will also need planning permission if you a splitting up a property into smaller self-contained units of accommodation. The scheme came into force on 1 October 2016 and last for five years until 30 September 2021. Do I need planning permission for my HMO? Tower Hamlets Council Town Hall Mulberry Place 5 Clove Crescent London E14 2BG A hearing will be held by us and the licence holder and other interested parties may make representations. The fee is £542 (was £532.50 in 2019/20, £520 in 2018/19) for an online application, with an extra £32 administration fee if you want to pay the application fee in two instalments. They were available to download from the council’s website but when we last checked in February 2021, they had disappeared. Alternatively, the council can issue you with a civil penalty notice of up to £30,000 for not having the correct licence without any warning being given, so this is really serious stuff. Your starter for TEN: temporary exemptions to property licensing, New civil penalty regime marks a step change in housing regulation, Investigating carbon monoxide poisoning in private rented homes. These new minimum sizes apply throughout England to HMOs licensed under a mandatory HMO or additional licensing scheme. When the Direction comes into force, planning permission will be required to change any property from a single-family home (C3) to an HMO with up to six occupants (class C4). It says you must pay a £32 administration fee if you want to pay the application fee in two instalments. reveals 70 councils now operate additional or selective licensing schemes, Mandatory HMO licensing scheme to be extended on 1 October 2018, London's licensing lottery could drive landlords from PRS, says NALS, Government to expand the mandatory HMO licensing scheme throughout England in 2018, Mayor launches rogue landlord and agent checker for London, Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: interim report published, CIEH call on government to update the housing health and safety rating system, One in three London renters do not have a life-saving carbon monoxide alarm in their home, New inquiry to examine private rented sector enforcement and property licensing schemes, London Trading Standards organise day of action to target rogue letting agents. We expect this uplift in housing prosecutions will continue with so many unlicensed properties still out there. How does the property licensing ‘fit and proper person’ test apply to spent convictions and underlying conduct? have been converted into self-contained flats; and, less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied; and. Can Selective Licence conditions require a landlord to attend a training course? Should criminal record checks be extended to landlords and letting agents? It depends on what type of licence you are applying for. You can make payment by telephone on 020 7364 5000 or online payments can be made on the payment page. The following forms are concerned with various aspects of the Licensing Act 2003: Applications must be sent to the licensing authority for the area where the premises are located or the authority where the personal licence was issued. For further information about attending meetings, see the guidance in agendas. Alterations & Licensing Officer at Tower Hamlets Homes Harrow, England, United Kingdom 22 connections. You can view the licence application fees on the council's website. In February 2021, we checked the public register of licensed properties and it listed 606 mandatory HMO licences, 2,908 additional licences and 5,841 selective licences. London Property Licensing awarded Best Landlord Service Provider 2019! Tower Hamlets Council told us they took thirteen successful housing prosecutions over the three years from April 2011 to March 2014. Landlord Licensing Scheme. Previously, the council consulted on plans for an additional licensing scheme that would cover most of the borough, except for the area already covered by selective licensing. Taking place between 6pm and 8pm. 03 November 2020. We understand that licences are normally be issued for 5 years, although if two warning letters have been sent, the council say you will only receive a 1-year licence. Disturbing Changes to The Property Ombudsman Letting Code, Streamlining the licence application process can save time and reduce costs. Temporary Exemption Notices and the extended time period for Notices Seeking Possession. This policy covers the following activities: 1.2 This policy is intended to provide clarity to applicants, ‘other persons’ and Please send any comments or suggestions to committee.services@towerhamlets.gov.uk. HHSRS national survey launched today: have your say! How many properties has the Council licensed? Ignore the law and you could pay a heavy price. Either through: Or download and complete the application form by hand, then scan and email it to Licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk, As a last measure we will also accept photographed applications/TENs emailed to us, Licensing sectionJohn Onslow House1 Ewart PlaceLondonE3 5EQ, Tel: 020 7364 5008 Fax: 020 7364 0863Licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk. The meetings are open to the public to attend. You could also be subject to a Rent Repayment Order and may have to repay up to 12 months rental income. Or a copy can be inspected at the council offices where you may also obtain an application form and further help or advice. Virtual Consultation Event . To ensure your proposal for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is safe and unlikely to cause nuisance to residents, please discuss your plans with the Police and Environmental Health Noise at least 14 days prior to your application. How many wash hand basins are required in a licensed HMO? Licensing Committee - Thursday, 18th March 2021 at 5:30pm - Tower Hamlets Council webcasts Skip to Main Content; Login ... By clicking Submit, you agree that Tower Hamlets London Borough Council and Public-i can use your email address to send you webcast updates. The Licensing Sub Committee is made up of 3 Members of the Licensing Committee. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. Details of any other property licenses held by the proposed licence whether they are in Tower Hamlets or not. There is clearly a lot happening in Tower Hamlets so we will monitor the situation closely and will keep you posted. Notice of interest in a premises Section 178. A timetable for meeting dates and deadlines can be found here. Make sure you comply with the law. The current scheme is due to end on 30 September 2021. To book a slot please contact us on housinglicensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk and we will send you a link to join in. Don’t put your livelihood and reputation at risk. If you rent your property as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you will need to get it licensed under either the additional licensing scheme, the selective licensing scheme or the mandatory HMO licensing scheme that applies throughout England. Any premises that provide licensable activities. Alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment, Licensing entertainment of similar description to that falling within the performance of live music, the playing of recorded music and the performance of dance. Whilst we do handle some applications, we have limited capacity and specialise in more complex cases where we provide our clients with expert advice and assistance. The government are proposing new measures to crack down on rogue landlords, Tackling rogue landlords: analysis of private rented housing prosecutions in London, Tower Hamlets Additional Licensing Public Notice 2018, Tower Hamlets HMO Article 4 Direction Public Notice 2019. This will hopefully reduce the likelihood of objections that could delay your plans. Advice for Landlords: How NOT to do rent-to-rent. In effect, the scheme excludes the area covered by their selective licensing scheme. We understand the challenges of being a private landlord and so we have developed a Landlord Suppliers Directory to provide you with access to the goods and services you need.