Multiple occupation legislation needs to be 'totally consistent'

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House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences, which were brought in to catch "irresponsible" landlords, need to be made more consistent.

That is according to Malcolm Harrison, spokesperson for Arla, who said that the legislation's requirements and cost varied depending on the area.

He said that Arla had demanded for these things to be made consistent "right from the word go" and that the organisation was "very disappointed" that this wasn't the case.

Mr Harrison went on to say that consequently, landlords could have "different demands and different costs" for properties that were "only a stone's throw" apart.

He commented: "The standards and the costs are not consistent with each local authority area… It may well be that a professional landlord has got two properties, one in one area and one in another – and even though they're only a stone's throw [apart], they'll have different demands and different costs."

Mr Harrison added that it would be "much easier for everybody" if the legislation was to be made totally consistent.

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