A council is considering an additional licensing scheme for HMOs in and around the High Street and town centres areas of West Bromwich.

The move follows a 12-week consultation which took place in 2020.

Under the proposed new scheme, landlords of all HMOs regardless of  how many people are living there, would need to apply for a licence at a cost of £850 for a five-year period.

Sandwell council claims that findings from the consultation showed that support for a scheme strong overall with more than three-quarters – 77 per cent – of all respondents agreeing with the proposals.

Councillor Zahoor Ahmed, Sandwell’s cabinet member for housing, says: “We want to improve housing conditions and make sure that landlords are providing good quality and safe HMOs, so that tenants are protected.

“While we know that many already do this, there are still too many properties that are poorly managed and are in unsafe and unsatisfactory conditions.”

“A new approach is needed and we believe that the Additional Licensing Scheme will improve the condition of properties, support good landlords and remove rogue landlords from operating.”

If the proposals are approved, the scheme would be introduced in April with a three-month grace period for landlords, and the council starting enforcement for unlicensed premises from July 1 this year.