LEGISLATION regarding houses with multiple people living in them are due to change this autumn.

The Government has issued new legislation with regards to licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) which is due to come into effect on October 1.

Existing legislation states any house with three or more stories and containing five or more people who share facilities such as a kitchen and toilets must have an HMO license.

New legislation will alter this so that any property – including a flat, bungalow or house – with five or more residents must now have a license.

Landlords must apply before the new legislation comes into effect. The licences, which cost £696 for a property with five habitable rooms, can be obtained from Maldon District Council.

Call 01621 854477 or e-mail contact@maldon.gov.uk.