New requirements to better protect Bristol’s renters

Bristol’s renters will get better protection under new property licensing requirements that are being introduced by the Council in three areas of the city to improve housing standards.

Bristol City Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to introduce licensing requirements to landlords of certain properties in Brislington West, Bedminster and Horfield.

The proposed schemes cover additional licensing for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and selective licensing for private rented properties that are occupied by one or two tenants or a family but are not HMOs.

The Housing Act 2004 allows local authorities to require landlords of some privately rented accommodation to license their properties and licensing can be applied to specific areas where evidence suggests there is poor quality or poorly managed private rented housing.

Cllr Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes said: ‘We take the wellbeing of people renting properties across the city very seriously and we want everyone to feel confident that their home is safe and fit for habitation. Living in a home that is in poor condition, or being badly managed, can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of tenants.

‘We have evidence that shows that licensing schemes have proved to be successful across the city, and we are really pleased that we are going to now be able to improve standards of accommodation and tackle bad management practices in three more wards.

‘While we know that there are landlords providing good quality rented accommodation, we are aware that a significant number of HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing are being poorly managed and maintained in these areas. We now have extra powers to take action, and we would encourage all landlords to work with us to help protect vulnerable tenants and make people across the city more comfortable in their homes.’

A 10-week public consultation about the proposals ran earlier this year, which found that 59% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the proposed licensing schemes would help to resolve poor management and poor conditions of private rented properties in the proposed three wards.

Photo by William Chang