The Housing Act 2004 introduced property licences for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) from 6 April 2006.
Local Authorities are required to license larger, higher risk HMOs, which initially will comprise those of three stories and above occupied by at least five persons who constitute more than one household.
Anyone who owns or manages an HMO that must be licensed has to apply to the council for a licence.
The council must give a licence if it is satisfied that:
the HMO is reasonably suitable for occupation by the number of people allowed under the licence
the proposed licence holder is a fit and proper person
the proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
the proposed manager, if there is one, is a 'fit and proper person'
the proposed management arrangements are satisfactory
the person involved in the management of the HMO is competent
the financial structures for the management are suitable
The Meaning of a Fit and Proper Person
The council will carry out checks to make sure that the person applying for the licence is a fit and proper person.
In deciding whether someone is fit and proper the Council must take into account:
any previous convictions relating to violence, sexual offences, drugs and fraud
whether the proposed licence holder has broken any laws relating to housing or landlord and tenant issues
whether the person has been found guilty of unlawful discrimination
whether the person has previously managed HMOs that have broken any approved code of practice
It is advisable for the landlord or manager to be a member of a professionally recognized body, or an approved landlords association that is affiliated to the National Federation of Residential Landlords.
For more detailed information on relevant issues and convictions, see Fit and Proper Persons in Related Pages.
No property licence, no rent. Apply for your licence now.
