Parts 2 and 3 of The Housing Act 2004 gives provision to local housing authorities to operate licensing schemes to help regulate the standards and management of private rented accommodation. All local housing authorities must operate mandatory houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing. There are three types of licences available:
- mandatory HMO licensing
- additional HMO licensing not subject to mandatory licensing
- selective licensing for private rented properties under certain conditions.
The policy principally deals with mandatory licensing for HMOs and selective licensing. The council has not applied to extend its HMO licensing powers beyond the current mandatory requirements.