WEST Devon Borough Council is advising landlords of a new government legislation which will come into force on Monday, October 1, requiring landlords to hold a license for houses of multiple occupation.

The new law, which is an amendment to the 2006 Housing Act, means that landlords who have a house used for multiple occupation (HMO) occupied by five or more people, who are not from the same family, will require a license.

A house in multiple occupation can include, but is not limited to, examples such as:

• a house let as individual bed sitting rooms

• a group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants

• hostels, some hotels, guesthouses

• lodgings, and shared houses

• houses converted into self-contained flats

• five bedroom house being rented to five single people, sharing facilities

• four bedroom house being rented to a non-married, couple and three single people, sharing facilities.

There are extra requirements also put in place for existing multiple occupation houses to include, minimum sleeping room sizes and provision of waste facilities.

Landlords who have a property which is classed as a House in Multiple Occupation, or those who are in the process of setting up a rental property which falls within this category, are required to apply for a license before October 1.

The council’s Environmental Health Housing Team is committed to working with property owners to ensure licensing requirements are followed.

If properties are found after the date which need a license, a fixed penalty notice may be imposed which could be up to £30,000.

If you are uncertain if your property requires a license or you would like to apply, please visit the council’s website: www.westdevon.gov.uk/HMO2018 .