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It is recommended that –
 
(1)     Cabinet notes and considers the
outcome of the consultation in respect of the proposed Additional
Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs);
 
(2)     approval be given to progress a
borough wide designation for Sandwell MBC as being as subject to
Additional Licensing under Section 56(1)(a) of the Housing Act 2004
for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), irrespective of the
number of storeys, that contain three or four occupiers or as
defined under section 257 of the Act in accordance with the
proposal approved for consultation by Cabinet on 13 September
2023;
 
(3)     delegated authority be granted
to the Executive Director – Place in consultation with the
relevant Cabinet Member(s) to take such steps as are necessary to
promote and implement this decision on behalf of the Council
including but not limited to –
 
a) publication of
the notice of delegation and date for
implementation
within seven days of the decision of Cabinet;
 
b) implement the
above designation to come into force on the 1 October 2024 for a
period of 5 years;
 
c) undertake a
promotional campaign, including timescale for implementation, to
run from July 2024;
 
d)  introduce a 3-month grace period for additional
licensing from 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024;
 
e) commence
enforcement activity for unlicensed premises from 1 January
2025;
 
f) conclude the
revocation of the “The Metropolitan Borough Council of
Sandwell Designation for an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses
in Multiple Occupation 2022” within the West Bromwich area
under Section 60 of the Act on the 30 September 2024;
 
g) adoption of the
proposed fees structure as set out at Appendix 3 to the report
submitted and to review those fees annually to ensure they remain
reasonable and proportionate;
 
h) adoption of the
proposed license conditions as attached at Appendix 4 to the report
submitted and review those conditions to ensure they remain
reasonable and proportionate;
 
i) adoption of the Sandwell Council Standards and
Amenities Guide for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as set out
at Appendix 5 to the report submitted.