GBP 100K proposed to survey overcrowded homes in Slough
Slough Borough Council’s cabinet commissioners have agreed to spend £100,000 on surveying the extent of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in the borough.
An HMO is an entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
At present, the Slough council is aware that there has been an increase in HMOs, but does not have an accurate figure on the full extent of the situation. The council has a duty of care to ensure that all residents in the borough, whether they are in council or privately owned properties, live in safe and habitable conditions.
Under the Housing Act 2004, only HMOs of three or more storeys, with five or more people sharing facilities, have to be licensed. The council however, believes there are many two storey HMO properties in the town that need to be inspected to ensure they are safe.
The last survey of housing conditions in privately owned homes was last carried out in 1998, and a survey of HMOs in 1997 under previous housing legislation.
A new survey of conditions is therefore needed to ensure the council can demonstrate its commitment to improving housing conditions in the private sector, and the way it sets policies and priorities is based on up-to-date information.
Denise Alder, director of the green and built environment, said: “Obviously we are aware of an increase in HMOs in Slough, but we need to carry out a survey to understand how many properties need inspecting and what finances are needed to do this.”
Cllr Tony Haines, commissioner for housing, said: “HMOs, if they comply to the right standards, are a great way for groups of people, such as students, or people starting on the career ladder, to live together relatively cheaply.
“However, there are many landlords out there who take advantage of people who are in need of accommodation quickly, or new people to the country, and offer very poor and unsafe living conditions.
“We need to target these properties in the proposed survey to understand the extent of the situation in Slough and ensure that all residents in these properties have a decent quality of life.”
If funding for these surveys is approved, the initial findings could be available in October 2008.
Slough Borough Council