Lib Dems win "best practice" guide updates on HMOs

Today, Councillors backed the Lib Dem plans to improve the standards of HMOs

The Edinburgh Liberal Democrats believe that until every homeless person has access to safe and high-quality housing, HMOs in our communities must be run to the highest standard.

At the Regulatory committee, Councillor Neil Ross called for the following clauses to be added to the Edinburgh HMO 'Best Practice Guide.

1. Improved neighbour notification of HMO licence applications, whether new or renewals.

2. Enhanced contact details being provided to neighbouring residents on an annual basis by including the names of both the landlord and the agent, if there is one, and the telephone number and email address of a named individual.

3. Better compliance with Council Waste policies by subcontractors acting on behalf of a landlord or agent to make appropriate arrangements with the Council or other collecting contractor for the disposal and/or uplift of any building materials, bulking items or other refuse which are inappropriate for residential waste streams.

This comes two years after Councillor Ross won key improvements to HMO regulations.