Public reports pack PDF 9 MB - Gravesham Borough Council

Page 38
The lack of provision for meals and dining arrangements and sufficient basic bathroom
amenities.
The premises may be classified as a House in Multiple Occupation. Therefore the
comments raised in application 20090411 are applicable in this case also are included
below for ease of reference.
The occupation and use of premises will determine whether the property should be
classified as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and whether licensing under the
Housing Act 2004, Part 2 is appropriate. The prescribed definition of a HMO is set
down in SI 2006 No. 371. It should be noted that in determining whether the premises
will require a licence the maximum length of residency can be set by the local authority.
Failure to licence such a premises is a criminal offence and is subject to a maximum
fine of £20,000.
Due to the possible fluctuating nature of the proposed population/occupancy of these
premises it may move in and out of the definition of a HMO. To remove doubts about
the premises status this department have the power to make a HMO declaration.
The proposals do not meet the standards in the Kent wide ‘Standards to Houses in
Multiple Occupation, Amenity Standards’, (a copy of these standards are enclosed for
the applicant’s information).
Should the premises not be classed as a HMO then any deficiencies or lacking
amenities can be assessed and remedial works required under the Housing Health and
Rating System (HHSRS). The applicant must be satisfied that no Category 1 hazards
exist as defined by the HHSRS. Information on the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS can
be found at www.communities.gov.uk/housing/rentingandletting/housinghealth/
and www.lacors.gov.uk Local housing authorities have a mandatory duty to act should
a category 1 hazard become evident and a discretionary duty to act on category 2
hazards.
The applicant is advised to consult with Kent Fire and Rescue regarding fire safety
issues.
The applicant is strongly advised to consult with the Private Sector Housing Team at
their earliest convenience. A member of the team can be contacted on telephone
number 01474 33 74 66.
GBC Conservation Officer
This is mostly a planning issue but I would question the signage proposed to the upper
floors.
Publicity
The application was advertised to the adjoining residents by way of neighbour
notification letters and a site notice. Letters from the following people were received:
Patrick A Lee
Mrs C A Tillson
Mrs K Hills
Andy Scott
Flat 15 The Pavillion Wrotham Rd Gravesend
82 Wrotham Rd Gravesend DA11 0QQ
26 Rose St Northfleet DA11 9EQ
29 Darnley St Gravesend DA11 0PJ
REPORT NO 7 PAGE 6