A council is urging private landlords who let out properties locally to check if they need a licence under a new regime being introduced on October 1.

The Sandwell council Additional Licensing scheme will allow the council to licence every HMO, bedsits, rooms in houses etc. which are not already subject to mandatory licensing.

Landlords who let such properties in the borough are being asked to register for a licence in advance of the scheme getting underway.

The cost of a five-year licence will be £1001.00, paid in two stages with discounts of up to £220 available for landlords who are members of accredited landlord schemes.

Councillor Vicki Smith, Sandwell’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Sustainable Development says: “We want to improve housing conditions and make sure that landlords are providing good quality, safe HMOs. 

“While we know that many landlords already do this, there are still too many properties that are poorly managed and are in unsafe and unsatisfactory conditions. We will work with landlords to see that their property is up to standard and ensure it is safe to live in for tenants, and that all the licensing conditions and management regulations are followed.”

Failure to licence a property which requires licensing may result in an unlimited fine on summary conviction or a Civil Penalty of up to £30,000.

The introduction of the scheme follows an extensive 10-week consultation which took place early this year. Large Houses in Multiple Occupation – where five or more people live – already require landlords to apply for a mandatory licence from the council.