Landlords in Bristol who rent out houses, bedsits and flats to multiple tenants are being targeted in a campaign by the city council's private housing team to make sure they are licensed.

The team will be going door to door from mid-October to identify landlords who haven't licensed their properties. They estimate that up to 250 landlords could be illegally operating unlicensed houses of multiple occupation around the city.

HMOs that need a licence are properties with three or more storeys, and have five or more people living there who are not related. The licensing came into force in July 2006 to ensure all HMO landlords comply with the necessary regulations, maintaining their property to a safe standard and protecting tenants. Statistics show that HMOs present greater risks to occupants than smaller houses occupied by single households. For example, although HMOs only represent 2% of all homes, they have 38% of all house fires.

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As well as knocking on doors, the team are going through council tax and housing benefit records, advertising on property rental websites and visiting groups and organisations such as the universities, residents associations and any other groups who may visit HMOs such as the police and health visitors.

Cabinet member for homes and streetscene, Cllr Judith Price, said: "HMOs provide an essential source of affordable housing in the city, particularly for individuals and people on low incomes. Landlords must meet the responsibilities that come with these properties to make sure they are providing a safe place in which to live and our team are out there ensuring that they do this. Anyone who fails to licence their property faces a fine of up to £20,000."

(CD/JM)