Greenwich Council Introduces New HMO Licence Scheme

A  new scheme for smaller HMO licences is set to be implemented across Royal Greenwich. The change is set to be in motion from January 1, 2024. 

The new scheme will have certain HMO licence requirements where two more three residents live in separate households where amenities such as the kitchen, bathroom or toilets are shared. 

The HMO news comes to address some issues. According to the Greenwich Council, the new scheme is set in place to ensure that multiple-occupation homes are kept safe and that tenant rights are kept protected. For some additional information, operating an HMO without a licence is a criminal offence, and the council can impose unlimited fines on HMOs that actively try to avoid licencing. 

“As a council, we are committed to improving the lives and homes of private tenants, and our property licensing schemes are key to this,” says Councillor Ann Marie Cousins.

This is the second time the Greenwich borough has tried to enforce HMO licence rules. The previous scheme, which ran from 2017 to 2022, was criticised for poor enforcement by the National Residential Landlords’ Association. The new scheme comes in the footsteps of the association, threatening legal measures.

In addition, according to recent HMO news, all residential landlords in Woolwich, Plumstead, and Shooters Hill must have licences under a scheme introduced in October 2022.