Announcements

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
DESIGNATION OF AN AREA FOR ADDITIONAL LICENSING OF HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMOS)
This Notice Is published In accordance with Sections 56 to 60 of the Housing Act 2004 and Regulation 9 of the Licensing and Management of Houses In Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006. Notice is hereby given that Southampton City Council has on the 14th July 2015 designated an additional licensing scheme in respect of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The area affected covers the electoral wards of Millbrook, Shirley, Bassett and Freemantle. This scheme will be known as the Southampton City Council Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation Scheme 2015 ("the Scheme").
The Scheme to which the designation applies has General Approval under Section 58 of Housing Act 2004 by the Secretary of State under The Housing Act 2004: Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Other Residential Accommodation (England) General Approval 2010 which came into force on the 30th March 2010. Therefore the designation need not be confirmed and will come into force on 20th October 2015 and, unless revoked beforehand or extended, will cease to have effect on 19th October 2020. The scheme applies to:
Any HMO which is comprised of two or more storeys and is occupied by three or more persons in two or more households. Certain HMOs as specified in the relevant Sections of the Housing Act 2004 (In both categories above) are exempted from the scheme. A person having control of or managing a prescribed HMO must apply to Southampton City Council tor a licence. Failure to apply tor a licence is an offence under Section 72(1) punishable on conviction by payment of a fine of up to £20,000. In addition, they may be required to repay up to 12 months rent if the tenant or the Council, in the case of housing benefit payments, apply to the Residential Property Tribunal under the provisions of Section 73 and Section 74 of the Housing Act 2004 for a rent repayment order. Any landlord, managing agent or other person managing an HMO or any tenant within the authority area may seek advice as to whether their property is affected by the designation during normal office hours, which are: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on a Friday. An application form and general advice may be obtained from Regulatory Services at Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton S0147LY. hmo@southampton.gov.uk (023) 80832606
www.souttiampton.gov.uk