Housing in Boscombe (Bournemouth Liberal Democrats)

Bournemouth Liberal Democrats <contact.us@bournemouth-libdems.org.uk>

Housing in Boscombe

January 24, 2012 2:25 PM
By Lisa Northover in www.lisanorthover.com

Housing is the issue which underpins most of the problems in Boscombe. Poor planning over many years has led to a dominance of single person units and bedsits.

The Lib Dems in Boscombe are making representations to make sure that planners understand the impact of allowing one type of housing to dominate, and plan for a more mixed community in the future. Zero tolerance for Rogue landlords.

Poorly managed housing is blighting our area. We want to hear from you if your housing is substandard. Your examples can give us the evidence we need to show that change needs to happen. If your house is classed as a "House in Multiple occupancy" your landlord may require a licence and have extra responsibilities to keep your home in a safe condition.

Inadequate toilet facilities and washing facilities

Landlords of Houses of Multiple occulancy have extra responsibilities HMO (1) (Lisa Northover - Liberal Democrats)

The landlord's most important responsibilities are to ensure that:

proper fire safety measures are in place

the property is not overcrowded

there are adequate cooking and washing facilities

communal areas and shared facilities are clean and in good repair

there are enough rubbish bins.

These rules exist to ensure that people living in HMOs have access to decent facilities and to reduce the risk of fire. If you are experiencing problems contact the environmental health department of your local council and they may assess your property under The Housing Health Safety Rating System. This aims to ensure that your home doesn't have any serious hazards, and allows a council to take action against landlords whose properties are dangerous.

These photo's are of the shares washing facilities in a local HMO, the front door of the HMO is not very secure so it is also easy for the property to be accessed by non residents.

Please contact us with your experience and stories so we can raise the standards of housing in Boscombe

Do I live in a "House in Multiple occupancy" ?

HMO (2) (Lisa Northover - Liberal Democrats)

You may be living in an HMO if you live in a house or flat that is occupied by more than one household. This could include: Bedsits, houses and flatshares, with separate tenancy agreements, hostels and B&B's that are not just for holidays. It is not always easy to work out whether you live in an HMO or not. If unsure, contact us.

HMO landlord responsibilities:

fire safety alarms in place
property not to be overcrowded
adequate cooking and washing facilities
communal areas and shared facilities are clean and in good repair
enough rubbish bins.

HMO's need to be registered with the council if at least three storeys high and containing five or more people. The council will consider if the property is large enough for the occupants and well managed.
A landlord can be prosecuted if their HMO falls within this definition but is not registered with the council.