A BID to clamp down on the spread of Clacton’s bedsitland will be extended to shared houses with five or more unrelated people.

Council bosses previously introduced rules to prevent the creation of more bedsits and Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), especially in central Clacton.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, has said the high concentration of bedsits encourages antisocial behaviour, damages tourism and fails to help the people living in the properties.

He said landlords are now being reminded that many more shared houses and flats are now covered by a mandatory licensing scheme for Houses of Multiple Occupation after a rule change which came into force on October 1.

The licensing requirement was extended to cover more types of accommodation.

In particular it covers homes that are shared by five or more unrelated people with some shared facilities.

The requirement for the building to be of a certain number of storeys has also been removed.

Before the change only buildings of three storeys or more required licensing.

Mr Honeywood said the council is committed to raising standards in the private rented sector.

“We contacted landlords about these changes and publicised them back in May, so there is really no excuse for landlords not to have already applied for a licence,” he said.

“However, we recognise there is always a transition period when such changes come into force, hence we are once again reminding landlords of their responsibilities.

“Now, though, is the time to take action.

“We intend to implement these new powers where necessary and enforce where there has been a blatant disregard of the law, so landlords must act now.”

Landlords are being encouraged to contact the council for advice.

A spokesman for the authority said it has received some applications and will be approaching landlords directly if applications are not received.

Local councils have been given far more wide-ranging powers to deal with unlicensed properties

They include the power to issue Civil Penalties of up to £30,000 and an extension to Rent Repayment Orders – allowing councils to claw back rent if certain offences are committed by landlords.

A national database of rogue landlords has also been introduced.

Landlords who are found guilty of housing-related offences will have their names registered as part of the enforcement process.