Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) under the Provisions of the Housing
Act 2004
Licensing and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Toolkit
Introduction
The objective of the Toolkit is to provide Private Sector Tenants and Landlords with a dedicated resource of information and guidance.
NO LICENCE, NO RENT - Click here for Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's awareness raising poster (pdf. 550kb)
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - Landlords, Do You Need a Property Licence? (pdf.580 kb)
URGENT REMINDER - Owners or managing agents of qualifying properties have until 1 July 2006 to submit an application to the Council. Following this date, owners or managing agents that have not submitted an application or who do not hold a licence, may be subject to more formal action by the Council.
Owners or managing agents who are preparing to submit an application, but feel they may miss the 1 July deadline, are encouraged to advise the HMO Licensing Team accordingly.
Any landlord or letting agent that operates without a Licence shall be liable to a maximum fine of £20,000. They will also not be able to give notice to a tenant and any rent received during that period may be claimed back.
The new regime commences on 6th April 2006 and in the North Devon District Council area introduces a new mandatory licensing system for certain categories of HMO - those affected are all properties which are 3 floors or more in height (this can include properties with shops, offices etc. occupying 1 or more floors) and have 5 or more persons not occupying the same household (usually not related) and share some facilities (such as kitchens/bathrooms etc.). The properties will not be owned by a Housing Association or Registered Social Landlord and hence, are in the Private Sector. See Press Release (pdf.28kb)
In setting out the Policy, the Council intends to promote the following objectives:
- To ensure that ALL landlords of HMO's, or their agents, are fit and proper persons
- To implement minimum standards of management for HMO's
- To protect vulnerable tenants
- To identify high risk HMO's and their landlords and to deal with the health and safety issues involved
The Toolkit will be regularly updated and expanded
- The Council’s HMO Licensing Policy (pdf
31kb) .
- HMO Policy - Appendix A (pdf.8kb)
- HMO Policy - Appendix B (pdf.11kb)
- HMO Policy - Appendix C (pdf.5kb)
- HMO Policy - Appendix D (pdf.8kb)
- HMO Licence Application Pack (pdf.317kb)
- Useful web links
- Useful guidance leaflets
- HMO Licensing Fees (pdf.5kb)
- And much more
If you require further assistance, you can contact the HMO Licensing Team in one of the following ways:
Write to us at:
HMO Licensing
North Devon District Council
Civic Centre
North Walk
BARNSTAPLE
Devon
EX31 1EA
Telephone Environmental Health Direct:
Tel: 01271 388870
Hours of opening: Monday to Friday, 08.30 AM to 04.30 PM
Fax: 01271 388328
Email: ehdirect@northdevon.gov.uk
Useful Guidance
- Landlords' Guide NDDC (pdf
1kb)
- ODPM Landlord's Guide - Do You Need a Property Licence?
(pdf.279 kb)
- ODPM Tenants - Does Your Landlord Need a Licence? (pdf.260
kb)
- Essential Information for Landlords and Agents - Housing Health
& Safety Rating System (pdf 3720kb) ODPM
- Powerpoint Presentation - HMO Licensing - NDDC General
Overview (Powerpoint 242 kb)
- The Chartered Institute of Housing - www.cih.org
- The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health - www.cieh.org
- Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
