Landlords, management agents and tenants in Peterborough are being advised to check whether their properties will be affected by a new licensing scheme.
Peterborough City Council is shortly launching Additional Licensing aimed at improving standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and tackling rogue landlords.
The council’s cabinet recently approved plans for a city-wide Additional Licensing scheme extending the scope of HMO licensing in the city. Previously, only HMOs housing five or more people were required to hold a licence under national Mandatory HMO licensing. The new scheme will require HMOs which also contain three or four persons to also be licensed, ensuring that HMOs of all sizes are required to be well managed and safe for tenants.
It is estimated that the new scheme will cover around 2,000 properties which are not currently required to hold a licence. For further information about the scheme visit the council's Additional Licensing website page.
Councillor Christian Hogg, Peterborough City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “I am looking forward to the launch of Additional Licensing and seeing the positive effects it will have on our communities. In the meantime, I would urge anyone who may be affected by the scheme to familiarise themselves with the initiative and if you have any questions to please get in touch with our licensing team.”
Additional Licensing will come into force on 26 January 2026 and be in effect until 25 January 2031. Landlords will be required to pay a fee of £1,100 for a five year licence. Landlords will also be required to comply with licence conditions to ensure HMOs are managed appropriately.
Peterborough City Council is working in partnership with Home Safe, who will support the council in delivering the new scheme. Home Safe already works alongside the council on its Selective Licensing scheme. Landlords and agents will need to apply directly through Home Safe, who will manage the application process on behalf of the Council.
It will become an offence for a landlord to rent a small HMO in the city without applying for a licence. Landlords with unlicensed HMO properties, and those who fail to adhere to the conditions of the licence, can face a civil penalty notice of up to £30,000 or an unlimited fine from the court. Landlords could also be ordered to repay up to 12 months' rent. In such circumstances, the council would then consider whether it was appropriate to revoke the licence and take over the management of the property.
Further details will be announced in the coming weeks about how applications for licences can be made.
For further details about Additional Licensing email additional.licensing@peterborough.gov.uk