Issue - meetings

ES17040

The Enforcement Activity Report for April 2016 to March 2017 was drafted by Mr Jim McGowan, Head of Environmental Protection. The report had been presented to the Committee to provide a summary of the activity undertaken by the Public Protection Division during the period 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2017 where enforcement activity had been undertaken under delegated powers.

It was noted that the report highlighted that an increased number of decisions had been made to issue HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupation) licences. This was mainly because most of the licences were due for renewal.

The Vice Chairman asked for an explanation of what constituted a HMO.  It was explained that a house in multiple occupation was a property rented out by at least 3 people who were not from 1 ‘household’ (eg a family) but shared facilities like the bathroom and kitchen.

Landlords must have a licence if they were renting out a large HMO. The property would be defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply:

·  it’s rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household

·  it’s at least 3 storeys high

·  tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities

Mr Mcgowan mentioned that going forward it was likely that the definition of a HMO would be expanded to include 2 storey properties.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted and members agreed to receive further similar reports every six months.