Who can be the licence holder
The owner, landlord or someone they nominate such as a manager or agent can hold the licence. We will determine whether a licence holder is "fit and proper" by considering:
- 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.
The criteria you must meet to be granted a licence
To grant you a licence, we must be satisfied that:
- the proposed licence holder and any manager of the property is a fit and proper person
- the proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
- proper management standards are being applied at the property
- the HMO is reasonably suitable, or can be made suitable, for occupation by the number of tenants allowed under the licence with at least the minimum prescribed standards of amenities and facilities. These include the number, type and quality of shared bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities.
We will use the information from your application to decide whether the landlord and the property meet the criteria
Are there conditions on the licence?
All licences granted are subject to conditions which the licence holder must comply with either immediately or within a specified period of time. Certain conditions as detailed in Schedule 4 of the Act are mandatory and must be included in every licence granted. Taking into account these conditions as identified in the Act, we have produced a set of standard conditions which are attached to every licence.
We can also impose any other specific property conditions considered necessary for regulating the management, use and occupation of the premises concerned plus its condition and contents.