Brighton and Hove Introduces New Scheme to Improve HMO Property Conditions
Brighton and Hove City Council announces a new licensing system. The council aims to improve tenants’ living conditions by setting rules for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The scheme starts on Monday. It covers small HMOs that have two or more storeys and house three to four people.
Licensing Scheme Details
Property owners and managing agents must submit licence applications on the day the scheme begins. The council states its main goal is to raise conditions and management levels in the growing private rental market (BBC News).
The council ran a consultation from October to January. Local residents gave strong support. Some landlords and agents disagreed with the new standards. A council spokesperson said many landlords run their properties well but reports show a lack of steady management and uniform standards in the region (BBC News).
Rising Rental Costs
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics stress the need for these new rules. Brighton and Hove’s average private rent is the 20th highest among English local areas. The city ranks as the third highest outside London after Elmbridge and Bristol. From December 2019 to May 2024, private rents in Brighton and Hove grew by 21.4%—a bit lower than the national growth of 22.3% (ONS).
Future Developments
Along with the new licensing scheme, the council plans a selective licensing system to begin in September. This system covers specific private rented homes in areas such as Kemptown; Moulsecoomb and Bevendean; Queens Park; and Whitehawk and Marina wards. The plan seeks to improve property standards further and secure safer homes for tenants (BBC News).
Conclusion
Brighton and Hove City Council wants to raise property management standards for HMOs in the region. The plan responds to community worries and rising rents. Property investors and landlords need to keep up with these changes. The focus is on building better living conditions while balancing the needs of tenants and landlords.
For further insight on these changes and more about the housing and rental market in Brighton and Hove, see these resources:
Staying up to date with these changes helps stakeholders shape a more sustainable and fair rental market in Brighton and Hove.
