Tenants and landlords advised to check regulations
Tenants and landlords are being advised to check out new regulations that affect specific types of rented accommodation that came in this month.
The introduction of new licensing rules are expected to affect up to 150 privately rented properties within the Newark and Sherwood area.
The new rules apply to rented properties that are occupied by five or more tenants who are not of the same household and will typically include shared houses, flats and bedsit type accommodation.
Such properties, where facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms are shared, are commonly termed Houses in Multiple Occupation or HMOs.
Properties rented out to at least five people who are not from the same household but share facilities are currently required to have a licence but only if the property has three or more storeys.
These rules have been in place since 2006 and currently 29 properties are licensed by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
As part of the legislation change, the three-storey height criteria will be removed and the government will introduce minimum bedroom sizes within licensable properties ensuring all bedrooms are of a reasonable size for the proposed occupancy.
It is estimated that approximately 150 additional rented properties in Newark and Sherwood will be affected by the new legislation and the landlords of these properties will be required to apply for a license.
Alan Batty, environmental health manager at the council said: “We urge all landlords in the district to ensure that their rented properties comply with the new regulations.
"The new changes will take effect on October 1 and detailed guidance on the rules and definitions associated with HMOs is available on our website.”
To find out if your rented property is eligible to comply with the new legislation, visit www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/hmolicence for further information.
Alternatively, anyone requiring further information or wish to discuss the new rules in more detail can contact the environmental health department on environmental.health@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk
