Step by step guide for landlords and agents in Eastbourne for completing the application form for a property licence for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
These notes will help you to complete Part 9 of the application form.
An ‘occupier’ means a person who occupies the property as a residence; this person can be either a tenant, leaseholder, licensee or a person having an estate or interest in the property.
Children and babies are also considered to be occupiers, and should each be counted as one individual regardless of their age.
Lettings
A ‘letting’ is any rented unit of accommodation, this could be a:
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Room/bedsit
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Studio Flat
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Floor by floor let
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House
For example, a house let as bedsits and rented to 5 people would count as five lettings.
Households
A ‘household’ for the purposes of the Housing Act 2004 comprises:
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A single person; or
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Co-habiting couples (whether or not of the opposite sex); or
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A family, including parents, grandparents, children (including foster children, step-children and children being cared for), grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins. Half-relatives will be treated as full relatives. Any domestic staff are also included in the household if they are living in rent-free accommodation provided by the person for whom they are working.
Therefore, three friends sharing together are considered three households because they are not related as family. If a couple are sharing with a third person that would consist of two households. If a family rents a property this is a single household. If that family had an au-pair to look after their children that person would be included in their household.
Habitable Rooms
A ‘habitable room’ is any room which can be occupied during the day. This includes bedroom, living room, dining room and a large kitchen where an armchair could be used. It does not include bathrooms, WC’s and small kitchens. When measuring rooms for plans please do not include any floor area which has a ceiling height below 1.53m (5ft).
‘Rooms and areas in common use’ are essentially rooms and areas that are accessible by everyone occupying the property, and include shared kitchens and bathrooms, staircases, hallways and landings, storage rooms.
