Private landlords in Edinburgh look set to incur unforeseen extra costs as the local city council introduce new rules surrounding Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs).
Edinburgh Council are now writing to all landlords of HMOs requesting them to carpet all hard floor surfaces, after they have been inundated with complaints from tenants regarding noise levels in flats. The council now want all living areas in HMOs fitted with carpets and kitchens and bathrooms to be kitted out with good quality cushioned flooring. The new rule will come into force on April 1st 2013 and many landlords are furious with the council decision.
Jake McGillivray, a landlord in the Waverley district of the city, was extremely disappointed with decision, saying “It is completely ridiculous, they are using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. It won’t even be a case of a one off payment, landlords often have to re-carpet a place every time a tenant moves out and that is why wooden floors are so popular. At a time when tenant groups complain about rental charges going up, the council are forcing landlord’s hands. If I have to spend money on carpets, which will also add to landlord insurance and cleaning bills, then I obviously have to pass some of it on.”
A council spokeswoman was unrepentant about the decision saying most landlords will already have carpets in their properties and went on to say: “All residents living in a common stair have the right to live in their own home without being disturbed by their neighbours. Carpets greatly assist in reducing noise levels from people walking above, especially in Houses of Multiple Occupation, where footfall is increased.”