A new licensing scheme for landlords in one of the country’s most controversial cities is likely to be approved next week.

Nottingham council is seeking comments on proposals to introduce a new five-year Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for houses in multiple occupation. The current scheme will soon come to an end and the council is now looking to consult on a new citywide scheme, which would run for a further five years from January 2024 if approved.

Additional Licensing is a scheme that applies to privately rented HMOs and requires landlords to have a licence for rented properties where either three or four people, who are not related, live together and share facilities like bathrooms and kitchens.

A statement from the council claims the scheme aims to “help support landlords to make sure their properties meet appropriate standards for tenants; protect the health, safety and wellbeing of tenants and communities by ensuring safe, well-managed properties; help inform tenants of what to expect from their landlord and what is expected of them as a tenant, through better communication and management of properties; and p rovide increased powers to inspect properties which otherwise would not be inspected unless a complaint had been received.”

The council goes on to claims that the current Additional HMO Licensing Scheme has had “a positive impact on problems associated with HMOs since its introduction in 2019, such as inadequate gas, electrical and fire safety, overcrowding and insufficient facilities, poor internal and external property conditions as well as anti-social behaviour like noise nuisance and insufficient waste management.” 

Councillor Toby Neal, the councillor who chairs the housing committee, says: “This housing licensing scheme, along with others, is a major part of our plans to improve all types of private rented housing in the city.

“We believe people renting privately have a right to expect a decent standard of accommodation, which is safe, well managed and maintained. Poor housing conditions and poor property management can have a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well causing problems for local neighbourhoods that see higher crime and anti-social behaviour rates.

“The council believes the introduction of a new licensing scheme would not only bring benefits for tenants and local communities, but also landlords who, by obtaining a licence, will be able to clearly demonstrate to prospective tenants that they meet required standards.”

The formal consultation is likely to begin on March 1. 

Last month Nottingham council started consulting on a second scheme of Selective Licensing and would require private landlords who let properties in certain parts of the city to obtain a licence, demonstrating that they and their properties meet required standards. 

Controversially, the council told landlords not to raise rents to cover the cost of the licences.