Blackpool Council is keen to encourage its improvement to meet the demand for good quality rented accommodation.
What is licensing
Licensing is a regulatory tool that allows local authorities to tackle areas suffering from significant antisocial behaviour or low housing demand by requiring privately rented homes to be licensed.
The key aim is to improve landlords’ management of properties and to help regenerate the area.
Types of licences
The Housing Act 2004 introduced three different types of licensing, two of which specifically relate to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
- Mandatory HMO licensing
- Selective licensing
- Additional licensing (currently not in operation)
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory licensing applies to large HMOs with 5 or more people in 2 or more households, with some sharing of amenities or units not all fully self-contained.
Selective licensing
Selective licensing is also a discretionary scheme and covers privately rented properties which are not covered by mandatory or additional licensing.
Public register