A council is warning landlords of HMOs that they must meet all of their legal responsibilities ahead of a crackdown on unlicensed properties.

Gravesham council’s private housing team will be carrying out checks on HMOs in the borough later this year but is giving landlords the opportunity to work with them before then to ensure all the necessary documentation is in place so they are operating legally and without the fear of prosecution.

To successfully apply for a licence to operate an HMO, a landlord must show the building has:

– A valid gas safety record

– A valid five-year electrical installation condition report

– A valid fire detection test certificate

– A valid fire risk assessment

– A valid PAT certificate.

A council spokesperson says: “While the majority of private landlords in the borough ensure their properties meet all legal requirements, there are some who may not be fully aware of their responsibilities and a very small minority who may simply ignore those requirements.

“This is their opportunity to get their houses in order with the help of our Private Sector Housing team if they need advice and guidance.”

She says that later in the year council officers would be carrying out checks on suspected unlicensed HMOs and following up with enforcement action where appropriate, and inviting tenants to come forward in confidence if they have any concerns with their current accommodation. 

And she adds: “The penalties for managing an HMO without a licence are severe, with the potential of facing prosecution at magistrates’ court, an unlimited fine, a banning order, and being added to the rogue landlord database. I would urge any landlords who are in any doubt about whether their properties meet all the required standards to talk to us now, before we come calling on them later.”