Crackdown on rogue HMO landlords in Wrexham likely to be extended after low response to consultation on policy

A scheme designed to crack down on rogue landlords in Wrexham looks set to be extended for a further five years.

It comes despite a large representative body for landlords opposing plans to renew a licensing scheme covering approximately 300 houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the area.

Wrexham Council recently held a consultation over measures which require property owners to ensure living standards are up to scratch or face possible enforcement action. Along with various other methods, a range of questionnaires were produced digitally and almost 1500 multilingual consultation letters were sent to tenants with over 500 also sent to residents of properties adjoining the boundary of a licensed HMO.

The majority of the 127 questionnaire responses received were supportive of the scheme after community leaders previously complained about anti-social behaviour, noise and rubbish arising from some bedsits.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) strongly objected as the organisation said there was not enough evidence to show whether the existing initiative had been successful.

However, senior councillors are being asked to back the continuation of the measures when they meet next week.

In a report, council leader Mark Pritchard said: “The majority (70 per cent) of licensees/landlords and letting agents who responded supported a new additional licensing scheme and 79 per cent of residents whose properties adjoin licensed HMOs also supported additional licensing.

“The homes and environment scrutiny committee considered the public consultation on 16 June 2021.

“The committee recommended continuing the additional licensing scheme for another five years and increasing staff resources for inspections and enforcement.

“Public consultation on the proposal is one of seven legal conditions that have to be met for designation of an additional licensing scheme.

“Due consideration has been made to these responses and it is considered that all seven statutory conditions have now been met.”

Wrexham.com asked the Leader of the Council about the response rate, with HMO’s often being a contentious topic but appearing to have low engagement with the consultation process. Cllr Pritchard said, “Yes I was surprised because it’s always discussed and debated. I thought there would have been more of a reply or response to it, but there wasn’t. On the responses, 70% were landlords, tenants was only 10% on others with a 6%, which I was surprised with. There was a lot of work put into it, we couldn’t have done any more.

“I’m sure this will be discussed and the lead member will have lots of questions on this on the day, I’m sure.”

Figures presented to councillors in June show formal action was taken against landlords on twelve occasions in 2019/20.

Eleven enforcement notices were handed out to address issues such as fire safety, mould and electrical hazards, while one person was also prosecuted.

Officials have also  supported Rent Smart Wales in three successful prosecutions against unregistered or unlicensed landlords in Wrexham.

Wrexham.com asked Cllr Pritchard about enforcement, with concerns raised in meetings over the years about staffing and being able to inspect properties. He told us, “To cover it needs resources, and all departments, not just this department ask for extra resources. We can revisit it and look at it if there’s funding available to put extra resources in there.”

“I know some elected members would want another six or eight officers in there to deal with it. We do have a good team, it is a small team, but they’re very active, they’re very busy and they work tirelessly to look at these HMOs when the complaints come in. If there was an opportunity to put extra resources in there, we would.”

Cllr Pritchard said concerns had also been raised by the NRLA over a recommendation that the scheme should cover the whole county borough.
In response, he said: “The proposed scheme could continue to apply across the county borough, as recommended, as there are HMOs in varying numbers throughout the county borough.

“Or members may prefer to restrict it to the town centre wards where most HMOs are concentrated, namely Offa, Grosvenor, Brynffynnon, Smithfield and Erddig wards.

“There are existing legislation and enforcement powers to tackle issues in HMOs that fall outside additional licensing if the latter is preferred.”

Executive board members will be asked to support extending the scheme when they meet on Tuesday, September 21 to consider the report.