We are reliably informed that talks between Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth are progressing on an extension of the current HMO licensing scheme, aimed at raising the standard of student accommodation in the city. The objective is to streamline the administration of licensing, the Landlord Accreditation Scheme and StudentPad whilst also improving the standard of accommodation available.
Some of the changes, that we understand are being discussed, include minimum size and light requirements for student rooms, increased fridge and freezer facilities per student, new rules aimed at eradicating cold and damp homes, specifications for the style and type of furnishings required based on IKEA as a preferred provider, rice cookers to be provided in all student houses plus urinals in houses with male students and extra mirrors in those with female students.
Avril Tromper, a spokesperson for the students union, stated that she welcomed many of these changes as we are now in the 21st century and really do need to stamp out Dickensian practices, but she added that she also worried that some of these changes may increase student rents in the city. But April Narr, proprietor of popular city letting agent, RedFish welcomed the proposals with the comment that, "for too long now, student tenants have had to try and squeeze all of their food onto one small shelf in a fridge and these proposals are much more sensible", however he also cautioned about the cost to landlords of some of these changes, especially the need for urinals in the rooms of male students.
The PDPLA is concerned about the costs of implementing this scheme and will be following up with all concerned as soon as more details are available. This comes on the back of proposed changes to Mandatory HMO's housing older tenants, where timed flush devices are proposed to avoid the situation where older residents disturb others by repeatedly flushing toilets during the night.