BANES has decided not to renew the additional licensing scheme that covers the whole of Bath and expires on 31 December 2023. That’s good news for the landlords of more than 1,000 HMOs, some of which have been in the scheme since January 2014. In truth, there could be little justification for continuing the scheme because the key claimed objective, of raising standards, must already have been achieved. Other local authorities take note!
It’s anyone’s guess what might follow. Local Councils love to control people so this might only be a temporary respite. The government Mandatory licensing scheme that covers HMOs with 5 or more residents will continue as usual.
