A council statement announcing a complex new licensing regime for the local private rental sector claims “landlords and agents who are compliant with council requirements, manage their properties well and can meet a set of criteria will be eligible for a cheaper, longer licence.”
Portsmouth council has set up a website for applications for any one of three different HMO licences - officially the closing day is today.
The authority has so-called ‘support sessions’ for applicants at its civic offices today, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. A special support team can be contacted via the council website or on 023 9284 1659.
The council says that as good landlords register, so “the council will be able to dedicate more time to less well performing landlords or agents to help them improve if they are issued with a shorter licence.“
Councillor Ian Holder, cabinet member for safety in the community, says: "The way we're licencing HMOs is designed to recognise landlords that comply with our requirements, giving us more time to work with landlords who need our help. I'd encourage landlords to get in touch with the team if they need any help at all, we're here to help you get the best out of the new system."
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