Peterborough City Council has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce a city-wide Additional Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), aiming to raise living standards in the private rental sector.
The proposal would expand the council’s oversight beyond the scope of the existing national Mandatory HMO Licensing scheme, which has been in place since 2006.
If approved, the new regime would allow the council to license smaller HMOs – those housing three or four people from two or more households – currently outside the mandatory framework.
The consultation runs until 31 July and invites input from tenants, landlords, letting agents, businesses and residents. The council says the scheme would provide stronger protections for vulnerable renters and tackle the social and health effects of substandard housing.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
Councillor Alison Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, says: “We are committed to working with landlords and partners to improve accommodation standards across Peterborough. This supports our wider goal of building strong, sustainable communities.”
The move follows the council’s Selective Licensing initiative, which has been credited with improving property conditions in other parts of the city.
If adopted, the Additional Licensing scheme would bring a broader range of landlords into scope, promoting compliance and enabling greater collaboration on crime prevention, spatial planning, and community initiatives.
The licensing system would be fully digital, supported by free guidance and training videos. Applications would be managed in partnership with The Home Safe Scheme Ltd, which already administers the council’s Selective Licensing programme.
A report on the consultation’s findings will be presented to the council’s cabinet later this year, which will decide whether to implement the scheme.
