Introduction

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement is given to LG Regulation and IDEA for source material.

Crown Copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland

Introduction to Subject

The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing of some categories of HMOs in England and Wales. It is compulsory to licence larger, higher-risk dwellings.

Local authorities are also able to licence other types of HMOs under an additional licensing scheme, if they can establish that other avenues for tackling problems in these properties have been exhausted.

In areas of the country which are subject to low housing demand or significant anti-social behaviour problems local authorities may run a selective licensing scheme under which all privately rented properties, not only HMOs, must be licensed.

There are minor differences in Wales which are noted in the relevant sections.

Legislation

• Housing Act 2004
• Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Descriptions) (England) Order 2006
• Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006
• Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Descriptions) (Wales) Order 2006
• Licensing and Management of Houses in Mutiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006
• Licensing and Management of Houses in Mutiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2006
• Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007
• Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2007
• Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Wales) Order 2006
• Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No 5 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) (England) Order 2006
• Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002
• Rent Repayment Orders (Supplementary Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007
• Rent Repayment Orders (Supplementary Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2008
• Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (Wales) Order 2006
• Selective Licensing of Houses (Additional Conditions) (Wales) Order 2006