Clampdown on poor HMOs agreed

Walsall Council cabinet approved plans to bring in a second Additional Licensing Scheme in five areas of the borough at a meeting on Wednesday.

Under the scheme, landlords whose properties are occupied by three or more people who are unrelated will have to pay to obtain a licence which sets out conditions which have to be met.

The areas this will come into effect in July next year are Bentley and Darlaston North, Blakenall, Birchills Leamore, Darlaston South and Willenhall South.

The first licences, when they are brought into practice in July next year, will be £850 for accredited landlords and £1,065 for those unaccredited.

Phase one of the scheme was approved in October 2021 and covers the wards of Paddock, Palfrey, Pleck and St Matthews.

Councillor Gaz Ali, portfolio holder for customer engagement said: “It will cover those five wards where there are higher number of HMO properties in a serious state of disrepair and where evidence shows the problem of poor management to occur the most.

“The scheme aims to improve standards in properties occupied by three of more unrelated people who share either a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.”

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: “There is historical fact where certain people had obtained licences for HMOs which they shouldn’t have had and, as a result, they’ve been left with substandard accommodation.

“The HMOs we are seeing coming forward which are now becoming more numerous will receive vigilant investigation from our officers and will have to seek the required planning permission.

“More and more people are saying enough is enough and we have to look at a cumulative impact policy for the amount of HMOs coming forward.

“Yes we all appreciate people want housing but they should not have substandard housing.

“I’m proud our licensing officers are very professional in their approach to make sure nobody falls down a hole and gets a licence when they are not eligible for one.

“It is important that continues and standards are driven up and that our people are in quality accommodation.”