Decision

It is recommended that –

(1)     Cabinet notes and considers the outcome of the consultation in respect of the proposed Additional Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs);

(2)     approval be given to progress a borough wide designation for Sandwell MBC as being as subject to Additional Licensing under Section 56(1)(a) of the Housing Act 2004 for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), irrespective of the number of storeys, that contain three or four occupiers or as defined under section 257 of the Act in accordance with the proposal approved for consultation by Cabinet on 13 September 2023;

(3)     delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director – Place in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s) to take such steps as are necessary to promote and implement this decision on behalf of the Council including but not limited to –

a) publication of the notice of delegation and date for

implementation within seven days of the decision of Cabinet;

b) implement the above designation to come into force on the 1 October 2024 for a period of 5 years;

c) undertake a promotional campaign, including timescale for implementation, to run from July 2024;

d)  introduce a 3-month grace period for additional licensing from 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024;

e) commence enforcement activity for unlicensed premises from 1 January 2025;

f) conclude the revocation of the “The Metropolitan Borough Council of Sandwell Designation for an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2022” within the West Bromwich area under Section 60 of the Act on the 30 September 2024;

g) adoption of the proposed fees structure as set out at Appendix 3 to the report submitted and to review those fees annually to ensure they remain reasonable and proportionate;

h) adoption of the proposed license conditions as attached at Appendix 4 to the report submitted and review those conditions to ensure they remain reasonable and proportionate;

i) adoption of the Sandwell Council Standards and Amenities Guide for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as set out at Appendix 5 to the report submitted.