HMO regulations spread to smaller properties

The Government has launched a new set of rules that enable councils to make landlords of smaller properties let out for multiple occupation to apply to meet HMO regulations.

This is an extension on current rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation which means that now properties of any size can be required by a council to meet specific licence guidelines.

The changes aim to stop those landlords who had moved away from larger properties that needed a HMO licence to avoid the regulations and cost of a licence, to smaller properties that fell outside regulations.

The Government seems to be ambivalent to the realities of market forces and could find itself with an increasing shortage of affordable accommodation as regulations become more restrictive.

Many of this category of rental property was used as student accommodation and could add to the financial burden of the ever increasing debt ridden student population, forcing more and more to study at home towns and cities to save on costs.

But we shouldn't worry the Government have a massive building program of council and affordable housing to meet the property shortage crisis over the coming years, sorry, news just in, they haven't. Oh dear!

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