Content

RESOLVED: That
Cabinet
a)   
Noted and considers the ‘Report on
the findings of the Consultation on the Designation of an
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in Northampton’ (Appendix A)
Page 98
b)   
Agreed that having considered the
‘Report on the findings of the Consultation on the
Designation of an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in
Northampton’, that an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme is
required for a period of five years; and
c)    
Agreed to designate, with effect from 24
February 2025, for a period of five years, a selected area of West
Northamptonshire (identified in the map and list of streets
contained in Appendix D of this report) as being subject to
Additional HMO Licensing under section 56(1)(a) of the Housing Act
2004 for the following types of HMO:

      
i.         
Any HMO that contains three or four
occupiers who form two or more households; and

     
ii.         
All self-contained flats that are Houses
in Multiple Occupation and contain three or four occupiers who form
two or more households but, where the HMO is a section 257 House in
Multiple Occupation, this Additional HMO licensing designation will
only apply to those section 257 HMOs that are mainly or wholly
tenanted, including those with residential landlords.
 
REASONS
RESOLVED:
1.    
To support the delivery of the
Council’s related strategies including the Corporate Plan and
Housing Strategy and following priorities:
·      
Improved life chances – ensuring
safe and secure accommodation for all,
·      
Thriving villages and towns – safe
communities with less anti-social behaviour, and raised standards
of privately rented homes
·      
Improving the quality, standard and
safety or homes and housing services (Housing Strategy 2022-2025
– Theme 2).
2.    
To accord with legislation, particularly
the Housing Act 2004.
 
 
ALTERNATIVE
OPTIONS:

·      
OPTION 2: Approve the proposed designation, but
delay its implementation.
Cabinet can decide to approve the proposed designation of an
Additional HMO licensing scheme but delay its
implementation.

·      
OPTION 3: Do not approve the proposed
designation.
Cabinet can decide not to approve the proposed
designation.

·      
OPTION 4: Approve a varied
designation.
Cabinet can decide to vary the proposed designation to cover a
different geographical area than the one that is recommended in
this report and/or change the definition of the types of HMO that
will be subject to the proposed Additional HMO licensing
scheme.