Haringey To Run New Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

A new borough-wide Additional HMO licensing scheme in Haringey was approved by the Cabinet in February 2019. The scheme will to come into force on 27th May 2019 and requires all HMOs within Haringey, that do not meet the Mandatory licensing criteria, to be licensed.

This new Additional licensing scheme will replace the Additional licensing scheme currently running in the Tottenham area of the borough, which is due to end on 30th April 2019.

Under Haringey's new Additional licensing scheme properties that meet the following criteria of an 254 HMO, and do not meet the Mandatory licensing criteria, must have an Additional HMO licence:

• 3 or more tenants;
• from more than 1 household;
• sharing facilities

The Additional HMO licensing scheme also includes S257 HMOs across the entire borough. In Haringey, buildings are considered licensable S257 HMOs if they:

• have been converted into self-contained flats;
• the conversion did not comply with the 1991 Buildings Regulations; and
• less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied

It is the responsibility of the freeholder of the building to apply for an Additional licence for S257 HMOs.

For a building to be classified as an HMO it must fulfil the criteria outlined above, and meet the standard conversion test, self-contained flat test or converted building test. For more information on this, the full definition of all types of HMO's can be found in Section 254 to 260 of The Housing Act 2004.

It is important to note that there are various statutory exemptions to licensing schemes, please contact HMO Services for further information about the exemptions currently in place.

The purpose of the new scheme is to protect the tenant's health, safety and welfare by ensuring that all HMOs within the borough are adequately managed and meet the legal standards of the Private Rental Sector.

The London Borough of Haringey have created an "early bird" fee of £500, instead of £1,100, for compliant landlords who submit their application before the scheme commences on 27th May 2019. Haringey council are in the process of developing an online application system however until this is launched all applications must be completed by hand. 

SUMMARY OF LICENSING IN HARINGEY

• If you are a landlord of a property in Haringey with 3 or more tenants from more 1 than household you need an Additional HMO licence.
• If you are the freeholder of a building that meets the S257 HMO criteria listed above you need an Additional HMO licence.
• If you apply for your Additional HMO licence before 27th May 2019 you will receive a discounted fee of £600.

Landlords and managing agents who fail to apply for a licence or comply with licence conditions are at risk of a fine of up to £30,000 and could face criminal prosecution. Additional enforcements include repaying up to 12 months of rent to tenants, being placed on the database for rogue landlords and agents and being banned from letting property in the future. 

For more information please call HMO Services on 020 3848 2200 or admin@hmoserviceslondon.com.