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Affordable Housing Enabling Grant Fund Scheme

We are inviting organisations to bid for funding to enable targeted housing schemes.

Visit the Housing strategy and policy page to find out about the Affordable Housing Enabling Grant Fund Scheme.

Operating houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) without a licence

There are several offences in relation to the licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). These carry fines on conviction, and include:

  • operating an HMO without a licence
  • breaching licensing conditions

Alternatively for relevant offences, the council may issue a civil penalty notice. This carries a maximum fine of £30,000.

Where an offence has been committed, an application may be made for a rent repayment order to the First-Tier Property Tribunal. If granted, the person receiving rent must repay the amount received during the time in which the HMO has been operating without a licence. This is up to a maximum of 12 months.

The council may make this application where rent was paid through housing benefit. It is also possible for tenants to apply for a rent repayment order to recover rent paid over the same period of time.