Gloucester council is set to give landlords who fail to manage HMO properties correctly 12-month HMO licences rather than the standard five years as part of a wider plan to crack down on rogue landlords.
The council is also set to introduce fines for landlords where homes don’t meet energy efficiency standards and whose EPC rating is below an E.
Landlords whose properties fail electrical safety standards could be fined up to £30,000 and those who don’t install sufficient carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, up to £5,000.
Reduced payment offers for those who pay the penalty fines early have also been removed.
The council supports landlords through the Landlord Incentive Scheme which matches landlords and prospective tenants and assists them throughout the tenancy.
Its Private Sector Housing service (PSH) works to protect residents affected by low quality housing, poor property management and the minority of landlords who don’t look after their properties.
It works to educate landlords about their responsibilities and can provide advice and support but can also to act through the courts as a last resort.
Cllr Stephanie Chambers, cabinet member for planning and housing strategy at Gloucester City Council, said: “Poor housing can have a huge effect on people’s lives and can severely affect their health.
“While the majority of landlords maintain their properties there is a small minority who think that the rules don’t apply to them.
“We hope that this will send a message that not meeting the regulations could cost you a lot more in the long run so now is the time to act.”
