The consultation runs from 13 January until 24 March 2023 and focuses on plans to designate a new Additional HMO Licensing scheme, the former Additional Licensing scheme came to a close at the end of 2022, for another five years. An independent review of the former scheme was carried out by M·E·L Research in October 2022.

There is a national requirement under the Housing Act 2004, Mandatory HMO Licensing, which requires all owners and landlords to license HMOs occupied by five or more unrelated people or households.

The proposed Additional HMO Licensing scheme, a discretionary option under the Housing Act 2004, would require owners/landlords and managing agents to license smaller HMOs, occupied by three or four unrelated people or households (including flats in multiple occupation), and section 257 HMOs which include converted blocks of flats that do not meet building regulations.

Before any decisions are made to designate a new scheme, the Council is asking residents, landlords and letting agents and other organisations for their feedback.

Ensuring housing meets legal standards 

HMO licensing helps to ensure that this type of housing meets legal health and safety standards, is well run and provides enough essential bathroom and kitchen facilities for tenants.

The Council is already legally obliged to license the largest HMOs that provide accommodation to at least five unrelated residents.

If approved following consultation, the scheme will mean that all HMOs in the borough will be required to have a licence from summer 2023.

You can take part in the consultation here royalgreenwich.gov.uk/additional-licensing-consultation.

Please note that you have until 24 March 2023 to give your views.

You can also reply in writing to private-rented-property-licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk