Legalize / United Kingdom / Northern Ireland / Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Type Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Publication 2016-05-12

Last updated 2020-01-13

State In force

Jurisdiction Northern Ireland

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

PART 1 — Meaning of “house in multiple occupation”

Meaning of “house in multiple occupation”

1

(1) A building or part of a building is a “house in multiple occupation” if—

(a) it is living accommodation (see section 2),

(b) it is occupied by 3 or more persons as their only or main residence (see section 3),

(d) rents are payable or other consideration is to be provided in respect of the occupation by at least one of those persons of the living accommodation.

(2) But a building or part of a building within subsection (1) is not a house in multiple occupation if it is listed in Schedule 1 (exceptions).

(3) The Department may by regulations amend this section, sections 2 to 4 and Schedule 1 as it considers appropriate in order to provide that any building or part of a building of a description set out in the regulations is or is not to be a house in multiple occupation for the purposes of this Act, or for such purposes of this Act as are specified in the regulations.

Definition of living accommodation

2

(1) A building or part of a building is living accommodation if—

(a) it is, or is capable of being, occupied as a separate dwelling, or

(b) both of the following conditions are met—

(i) it is, or forms part of, any building or group of buildings which is in single ownership, and

(ii) its occupants share one or more basic amenities with each other.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i), a building or group of buildings is in “single ownership” if the whole of the building, or all the buildings in the group, are owned—

(a) by one person, or

(b) by one person and that person's associates (as defined in section 88), whether jointly or severally.

(3) For this purpose, if—

(a) a building or part of a building is owned by a body corporate, and

(b) the body corporate is controlled by a director of it (within the meaning given by section 255 of the Companies Act 2006),

the building or part is to be treated as being owned by the director as well as by the body corporate.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(ii), the “basic amenities” are—

(a) a toilet,

(b) personal washing facilities, and

(5) References in this Act to “living accommodation” include—

(a) any part of the living accommodation (including its structure and exterior) which is, and any common facilities relating to it which are, owned in common with others, and

(b) any yard, garden, garage, out-house or other area or structure which is, or which is capable of being, occupied or enjoyed together with the living accommodation or any part of it (solely or in common with others).

Cases where person is treated as occupying accommodation as only or main residence

3

(1) This section sets out some cases where a person is, or is not, to be treated for the purposes of this Act as occupying living accommodation as their only or main residence.

(2) A person who occupies living accommodation during term time for the purpose of undertaking a full-time course of further or higher education is to be treated, at all times during that person's residence there, as occupying that accommodation as the person's only or main residence.

(3) A person who occupies living accommodation for the purpose of engaging in seasonal work is to be treated, at all times during that person's residence there, as occupying that accommodation as the person's only or main residence.

(4) A person who occupies living accommodation that is—

(a) managed by a voluntary organisation, and

(b) used wholly or mainly for the temporary accommodation of persons who have left their homes as a result of—

(i) physical violence or mental abuse, or

(ii) threats of such violence or abuse,

is to be treated as occupying that accommodation as the person's only or main residence.

(5) The Department may make regulations setting out other circumstances in which a person is, or is not, to be treated as occupying living accommodation as his or her only or main residence.

Persons who are members of the same household

4

(1) For the purposes of this Act persons are members of the same household only if—

(a) they are members of the same family (as defined in section 88),

(b) they are to be treated as being members of the same household by virtue of subsections (2) and (3), or

(c) their circumstances are of a description set out in regulations made by the Department (as to which, see subsections (4) and (5)).

(2) Subsection (3) applies if—

(a) a person (A) is engaged to provide domestic help or personal care to another person (B), and

(b) the terms of that engagement require A to occupy the same living accommodation as B.

(3) A is to be treated as being a member of the same household as—

(a) B, and

(b) any member of B's family who also occupies that living accommodation.

(4) Regulations under subsection (1)(c) may, in particular, provide that a group of persons are to be regarded as being members of the same household only where each member of the group has a prescribed relationship, or at least one of a number of prescribed relationships, to any one or more of the others.

(5) In subsection (4) “prescribed relationship” means any relationship of a description set out in the regulations.

Notice regarding evidence of household

5

(1) This section applies if—

(a) it appears to a council that living accommodation is occupied by 3 or more persons, and

(b) the council believes, on reasonable grounds, that the occupants form more than two households.

(2) The council may serve a notice which—

(a) states the council's belief mentioned in subsection (1)(b),

(b) states the grounds for that belief,

(c) invites the person on whom the notice is served to supply to the council, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice, evidence that the occupants form no more than two households, and

(d) informs the person of the effect of subsections (4) and (5).

(3) The notice may be served on any or all of the following (as the council considers appropriate)—

(a) any person appearing to the council to be the owner of the accommodation;

(b) any person appearing to the council to be a managing agent of the accommodation;

(4) Subsection (5) applies if, after a council has served a notice under subsection (2)—

(a) no such evidence is provided within the period mentioned in subsection (2)(c), or

(b) such evidence is provided within that period, but it is not sufficient to cause the council to change its belief.

(5) Where this subsection applies—

(a) the council may serve a notice (a “household notice”) stating that the condition set out in paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, paragraph (b) of subsection (4) is met, and

(b) as from the date of service of that notice, the living accommodation is to be treated as if the occupants formed more than two households.

(6) A household notice must be served on all the persons on whom the notice under subsection (2) was served.

(7) Subsection (5)(b) ceases to apply if (whether or not as a result of an appeal under section 67) the council ceases to hold the belief mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

Notice regarding continuation of occupation

6

(1) This section applies if—

(a) it appears to a council that living accommodation—

(i) has been a house in multiple occupation, but

(ii) has ceased to be so because the number of occupants has reduced below 3, and

(b) the council believes, on reasonable grounds, that the accommodation is likely to become a house in multiple occupation again within 4 months of that cessation.

(2) The council may serve a notice (a “continuation notice”) which—

(a) states the council's belief mentioned in subsection (1)(b),

(b) states the grounds for that belief, and

(3) The notice may be served on any or all of the following (as the council considers appropriate)—

(a) any person appearing to the council to be the owner of the accommodation;

(b) any person appearing to the council to be a managing agent of the accommodation;

(4) A continuation notice has effect for a period of 4 months beginning with the date on which it is served (but this is subject to subsections (7) and (8)).

(5) During that period, the accommodation is to be treated as if it were an HMO for the purposes of this Act, except for the purposes of the following sections—

(a) section 5 (service of household notice);

(b) sections 15 to 17 (service and extension of temporary exemption notice);

(d) sections 50 to 53 (service of unsuitability notice).

(6) A continuation notice must invite the person on whom the notice is served to supply to the council, within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice—

(a) evidence that the accommodation will not become a house in multiple occupation within the period of 4 months beginning with the date on which the notice was served, or

(b) evidence that, throughout the period of 4 months before the notice was served, the accommodation was not a house in multiple occupation.

(7) If evidence is provided, within the period mentioned in subsection (6), that is sufficient to satisfy the council—

(a) that the accommodation will not become a house in multiple occupation within the period of 4 months beginning with the date on which the continuation notice was served, or

(b) that the accommodation was a house in multiple occupation at no time in the period of 4 months before the notice was served,

the council must serve a notice cancelling the continuation notice.

(8) If evidence is supplied to the council in response to a continuation notice but the council decides that the evidence is not sufficient to satisfy the council as mentioned in subsection (7), the council must serve notice of that decision.

(9) A notice under subsection (7) or (8) must be served on all the persons on whom the continuation notice was served.

(10) Subsection (5) ceases to apply if (whether or not as a result of an appeal under section 67) the council ceases to hold the belief mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

PART 2 — Licensing of Houses in multiple occupation

Requirement for and issue of licences

Requirement for HMOs to be licensed

7

(1) Every house in multiple occupation (“HMO”) must be licensed under this Act (unless a temporary exemption notice under section 15 is in effect in respect of it).

(2) A licence under this Act (an “HMO licence”) is to be issued by the council for the district in which the HMO is situated.

(3) An HMO licence must specify—

(a) the HMO to which it relates,

(b) the council which issued it,

(d) the owner of the HMO,

(e) any managing agent of the HMO, and

(f) any conditions which the council has decided to include in the licence under section 14.

Applications for HMO licence

8

(1) An application for an HMO licence is to be made to the council by the owner of the living accommodation in question.

(2) The council may grant the licence only if it is satisfied that—

(a) the occupation of the living accommodation as an HMO would not constitute a breach of planning control (see section 9);

(b) the owner of the living accommodation, and any managing agent of it, are fit and proper persons (see section 10);

(d) the granting of the licence will not result in overprovision of HMOs in the locality in which the living accommodation is situated (see section 12); and

(e) the living accommodation is fit for human habitation and—

(i) is suitable for occupation as an HMO (see section 13) by the number of persons to be specified in the licence as mentioned in section 7(3)(c), or

(ii) can be made so suitable by including conditions in the licence under section 14.

(3) Schedule 2 makes provision about the procedural requirements relating to an application for an HMO licence.

Breach of planning control

9

(1) For the purposes of section 8(2)(a) (refusal of licence for breach of planning control), “breach of planning control” has the meaning given by section 131 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

(2) For provisions under which a decision to refuse a licence under section 8(2)(a) is treated differently from a refusal on other grounds, see—

(a) paragraphs 5 to 7 of Schedule 2 (procedure on refusal of application);

(b) section 25 (restriction on making applications after refusal);

Fit and proper persons

10

(1) This section sets out the matters which are relevant for deciding whether an owner or managing agent is a fit and proper person for the purposes of this Act.

(2) A person who is subject to a disqualification order (see section 38) is not a fit and proper person.

(3) In deciding whether any other person (“P”) is a fit and proper person, the council must have regard to—

(a) the matters mentioned in subsections (4) to (7), and

(b) any other matter which the council considers to be relevant.

(4) The council must have regard to whether P has—

(a) committed any offence involving—

(i) fraud or other dishonesty,

(ii) violence,

(iii) drugs,

(iv) human trafficking, or

(v) a firearm (within the meaning of Article 2(2) of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004);

(b) committed an offence listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (offences attracting notification requirements);

(d) contravened any provision of the law relating to housing or of landlord and tenant law; or

(e) acted otherwise than in accordance with a code of practice approved under section 63.

(5) The council must have regard to whether any associate or former associate of P has engaged in any of the conduct mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (4), if it appears to the council that that conduct is relevant to whether P is a fit and proper person.

(6) The council must have regard to—

(a) any anti-social behaviour engaged in by P, and

(b) P's conduct as regards any anti-social behaviour—

(i) engaged in by the occupants of any relevant living accommodation whilst in the accommodation, or

(ii) adversely affecting the occupants of any such accommodation.

(7) In subsection (6)—

“anti-social behaviour” means—acting or threatening to act in a manner causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to a person residing in, visiting or otherwise engaging in a lawful activity in residential premises or in the locality of such premises, orusing or threatening to use residential premises for illegal purposes;

“relevant living accommodation” means living accommodation of which P is or was the owner or managing agent.

(8) If an owner or managing agent is a body (whether incorporated or not), the body is not a fit and proper person if any of the following is not a fit and proper person—

(a) a director of the body,

(b) a partner of it, or

Satisfactory management arrangements

11

In deciding for the purposes of section8(2)(c) whether the proposed management arrangements for the living accommodation are satisfactory, the council must have regard to (among other things)—

(a) whether any person proposed to be involved in the management has a sufficient level of competence to be so involved,

(b) whether any person proposed to be involved in the management, other than a managing agent named in the licence, is a fit and proper person (within the meaning given by section 10) to be so involved, and

Overprovision

12

(1) In considering whether the granting of a licence will result in overprovision in a locality for the purposes of section 8(2)(d), the council must have regard to—

(a) the number and capacity of licensed HMOs in the locality,

(b) the need for housing accommodation in the locality and the extent to which HMO accommodation is required to meet that need, and

(2) It is for the council to determine the localities within its district for the purposes of this section.

Suitability of living accommodation for multiple occupation

13

(1) In determining for the purposes of section 8(2)(e) whether living accommodation is, or can be made, suitable for occupation as an HMO by the specified maximum number of persons, the council must have regard to—

(a) the matters set out in subsection (2),

(b) the minimum standards set under subsection (3) for the accommodation's condition, facilities or equipment for that number of persons, and

(2) The matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—

(a) the accommodation's location,

(b) the type and number of persons likely to occupy it,

(d) the possibility of undue public nuisance.

(3) The Department may by regulations set minimum standards which must be met in relation to the matters set out in subsection (5) in order for accommodation to be regarded as suitable for occupation by prescribed numbers of persons.

(4) In having regard to those minimum standards, the council—

(a) cannot be satisfied that the accommodation is suitable if the council considers that the accommodation fails to meet the standards, but

(b) may decide that the accommodation is not suitable for occupation by that number even if the accommodation does meet the standards.

(5) The matters referred to in subsection (3) are—

(a) natural and artificial lighting,

(b) ventilation,

(d) personal washing facilities,

(e) facilities for the storage, preparation and provision of food,

(f) any requirements about the display of signs relating to fire exits or other matters,

(g) interior and exterior decoration,

(h) safety equipment (including fire safety equipment), and

(i) disposal of refuse.

(6) The standards that may be set under subsection (3) include standards as to the number, type and condition of facilities or equipment which should be available in prescribed circumstances.

(7) In subsections (3) and (6), “prescribed” means prescribed in the regulations.

(8) In relation to any application for an HMO licence, the “specified maximum number of persons” means—

(a) the number of persons specified in the application as the proposed maximum for the accommodation, or

(b) if the council decides to specify a lower number in the licence, that lower number.

Licence conditions

14

(1) An HMO licence may include such conditions as the council considers appropriate for regulating any or all of the following—

(a) the management, use and occupation of the HMO;

(b) its condition and contents.

(2) The conditions may, in particular, include—

(a) conditions imposing restrictions or prohibitions on the use or occupation of particular parts of the HMO by persons occupying it;

(b) conditions requiring the taking of reasonable and practicable steps to prevent or reduce anti-social behaviour by persons occupying or visiting the HMO;

(c) conditions requiring facilities and equipment to be made available in the house for the purpose of making it suitable for occupation as an HMO (within the meaning of section 13);

(d) conditions requiring such facilities and equipment to be maintained in repair and proper working order;

(e) conditions requiring, in the case of any works needed in order for any such facilities or equipment to be made available or to be so maintained, that the works are carried out within such period or periods as may be specified in, or determined under, the licence;

(f) conditions requiring the owner of the HMO or the managing agent of it (if any) to attend training courses in relation to any code of practice approved under section 63.

(3) The Department may make regulations requiring councils to include in HMO licences such conditions as are specified in the regulations.

(4) An HMO licence may include a condition imposing a restriction or obligation on—

(a) the owner of the HMO or the managing agent of it (if any);

(b) any class of persons described by reference to the HMO (such as occupants of it or visitors to it), whether or not identified by name;

(5) But an HMO licence may include a condition imposing a restriction or obligation on a person named in it (other than the owner or managing agent) only if that person has consented to the imposition of the restriction or obligation.

(6) An HMO licence may not include conditions requiring, or intended to secure, any alteration in the terms of any tenancy or other occupancy arrangement under which any person occupies the HMO.

(7) A condition included in an HMO licence may specify a date from which the condition is to have effect (and such a date may be later, but not earlier, than the date from which the other provisions of the licence have effect).

(8) If an HMO licence includes a condition which requires work to be carried out in or to any living accommodation, the condition must specify the date by which that work must be completed.

(9) Any date specified for the purposes of subsection (7) or (8) must be such as would, in the opinion of the council, enable the licence holder to secure compliance with the condition, or to complete the work, before that date.

Temporary exemption from licensing requirement

Temporary exemption notice

15

(1) This section applies where the owner of an unlicensed HMO makes an application to the council that—

(a) specifies steps which may be taken with a view to securing that the HMO ceases to be an HMO, and

(b) includes a declaration that the owner intends to take those steps.

(2) An application under subsection (1) must be in such form as the council specifies by general notice.

(3) If the council is satisfied—

(a) that the steps specified in the application will have the intended effect, and

(b) that the owner intends to take them,

it may issue a notice (a “temporary exemption notice”) in respect of the HMO.

(4) A temporary exemption notice may include safety or security requirements (see section 17).

(5) The council must—

(a) if it decides to issue a temporary exemption notice, serve that notice on the owner and the occupants of the HMO;

(b) otherwise, serve on the owner and the occupants notice of its decision not to do so.

(6) An HMO is not required to be licensed under this Act during the period for which a temporary exemption notice has effect in respect of it.

(7) A temporary exemption notice has effect for—

(a) the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which it is served, or

(b) such longer period as may be granted under section 16.

Extension of temporary exemption notice

16

(1) This section applies if the council is satisfied, on the application of the owner, that there are special circumstances that justify the extension of the period for which a temporary exemption notice has effect.

(2) The council may grant an extension for such period, not exceeding 3 months, as it considers appropriate.

(3) Only one such extension may be granted.

(4) The council must serve notice of its decision under this section on the owner and the occupants of the HMO.

Safety and security requirements

17

(1) A temporary exemption notice may include requirements that the owner of the HMO carry out such work in or to the HMO as the council considers appropriate for the purpose of improving the safety or security of the HMO's occupants during the period for which the notice has effect.

(2) If a notice does so, it must specify—

(a) the work to be carried out, and

(b) a date by which the work must be completed.

(3) Different dates may be specified for different works.

(4) A date specified under subsection (2) must not be earlier than the date by which the council reasonably considers that the work can be completed.

(5) A notice which requires work to be carried out may also specify particular steps which the council requires to be taken in carrying out that work.

(6) Part 1 of Schedule 3 applies to a temporary exemption notice that includes a requirement under this section.

Revocation of temporary exemption notice

18

(1) If the council is satisfied that the owner of the HMO has failed to comply with any requirement included in a temporary exemption notice under section 17, the council may revoke the notice.

(2) A council that revokes a notice must serve on the owner and the occupants notice of its decision to do so.

(3) A revocation under this section has effect from—

(a) the last date on which the decision to revoke the notice may be appealed in accordance with section 67(4), or

(b) if such an appeal is made, the date on which the appeal is finally determined.

Duration and renewal

Duration of HMO licence

19

(1) An HMO licence has effect from—

(a) the date on which notice of the decision to grant it is served under paragraph 13 of Schedule 2, or

(b) such later date as may be specified in the licence.

(2) An HMO licence has effect for—

(a) 5 years, or

(b) such shorter period, of not less than 6 months, as may be specified in the licence.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a licence which is treated as having been granted in accordance with paragraph 12(6) of Schedule 2.

(4) Such a licence—

(a) has effect from the date by which the council was required by that paragraph to determine the application, and

(b) has effect for 1 year.

(5) Subsections (2) and (4)(b) are subject to the following provisions, which provide for the date on which a licence is to cease to have effect in certain circumstances—

(a) section 21 (effect on existing licence where application is made to renew);

(b) section 23 (revocation of licence);

(d) section 28 (change of ownership of property);

(e) section 29 (death of licence holder).

Renewal of licence

20

(1) Where the holder of an HMO licence makes an application in accordance with this section for it to be renewed, the council may renew the licence.

(2) An application to renew a licence must be made before the licence ceases to have effect.

(3) The provisions of this Part apply to applications to renew a licence (and decisions on such applications) as they apply to applications for a licence (and decisions on such applications).

(4) But the following provisions do not apply to applications to renew—

(a) sections 8(2)(a) and 9 and paragraphs 5 to 7 of Schedule 2 (breach of planning control);

(b) sections 8(2)(d) and 12 (overprovision).

Application to renew: effect on existing licence

21

(1) Where an application to renew a licence is made in accordance with section 20, the existing licence has effect until the date mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) That date is—

(a) if the application is granted, the date from which the renewed licence has effect (determined in accordance with section 19(1) or (4)(a));

(b) if the application is refused, the latest of the following dates—

(i) the last date on which the decision to refuse the application may be appealed in accordance with section 67(4);

(ii) if such an appeal is made, the date on which the appeal is finally determined;

(iii) the date on which the existing licence would cease to have effect if the application to renew it had not been made.

(3) This section is subject to the following provisions, which provide for the date on which a licence is to cease to have effect in certain circumstances—

(a) section 23 (revocation of licence);

(b) section 27 (surrender of licence);

(d) section 29 (death of licence holder).

Variation and revocation

Variation of licences

22

(1) The council may vary an HMO licence in any of the following ways—

(a) varying the number of persons who are authorised by the licence to occupy the HMO;

(b) removing, adding or substituting the managing agent of the HMO;

(2) The council may vary a licence under this section—

(a) on the application of the licence holder,

(b) on the application of any person named in the licence as a person on whom a restriction or obligation is imposed under section 14, or

Revocation of licences

23

(1) The council may revoke an HMO licence if it is satisfied that—

(a) the owner of the HMO, or any managing agent of it (whether or not named in the licence), is not a fit and proper person (see section 10);

(b) the management arrangements for the HMO are not satisfactory (see section 11);

(d) the HMO is not suitable for occupation (within the meaning of section 13) by any number of persons and cannot be made suitable by varying the licence to include conditions under section 14;

(e) any of the following persons has committed a serious breach of a condition of the licence—

(i) the owner or managing agent of the HMO;

(ii) any person named in the licence as a person on whom a restriction or obligation is imposed under section 14; or

(f) there has been more than one breach of the conditions of the licence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), it does not matter whether the council has taken any other action, or whether criminal proceedings have been commenced, in respect of the circumstances in question.

Variation and revocation: procedure

24

Schedule4 makes provision about the procedure for varying or revoking an HMO licence.

Other provision about licences

Restriction on applications

25

(1) This section applies where a council refuses to grant an HMO licence, except where the refusal is solely because the council is not satisfied as mentioned in section 8(2)(a) (planning control).

(2) Where the refusal is on the ground that any person is not a fit and proper person (see sections 8(2)(b) and 11(b)), that person is to be regarded as not being a fit and proper person for the purposes of any application for an HMO licence made in the restricted period.

(3) Where the refusal is on one or both of the grounds mentioned in section 8(2)(d) and (e) (overprovision, and accommodation not habitable or not suitable for HMO), the council may not consider any application for an HMO licence in relation to the living accommodation in question made in the restricted period.

(4) The “restricted period” is the period of 1 year beginning with the date on which notice of refusal is served under paragraph 13 of Schedule 2.

(5) This section does not prevent the council from considering an application made in the restricted period if the council is satisfied that there has been a material change of circumstances.

Joint licence holders

26

(1) This section applies where living accommodation is owned jointly by two or more persons.

(2) An application for an HMO licence may be made by, and an HMO licence may be granted to—

(a) any one of those owners, or

(b) any two or more of those owners jointly.

(3) In a case falling within subsection (2), any reference in this Act to the “owner” of the accommodation is a reference to the owner or owners in question; and in particular, in a case falling within subsection (2)(b)—

(a) any requirement to be fulfilled by the owner must be fulfilled by all of them, and

(b) anything required to be done in relation to the owner must be done in relation to all of them.

(4) Where—

(a) there is a transfer of ownership of a licensed HMO,

(b) as a result of the transfer one or more joint licensees (but not all of them) cease to be an owner of the HMO,

the licence is to be treated as being held, from the date of the transfer, by the remaining owner or owners.

(5) Where—

(a) there is a transfer of ownership of a licensed HMO,

(b) as a result of the transfer there is a new owner (or more than one), and

the new owner (or any of them) may apply to the council to be added as a joint licensee.

(6) The council must—

(a) treat an application under subsection (5) as an application to renew the licence made jointly by the existing licensee and the new owner, and

(b) if it decides to grant the application, vary the licence accordingly.

(7) Where one or more joint licensees (but not all of them) apply to the council to be removed as such, the council must vary the licence accordingly.

(8) Where a licence is varied under subsection (6) or (7), the council must serve a copy of the licence as varied on each joint licensee and on each person who was a joint licensee before the variation.

(9) In this section—

“transfer of ownership” includes the creation of a new estate;

“new owner” means a person who is an owner after the transfer but was not an owner before it.

Surrender of HMO licence

27

(1) The holder of an HMO licence may surrender the licence by giving notice to the council to that effect.

(2) Notice under subsection (1) is to be in such form as the council may specify by general notice.

Change of ownership: effect on licence

28

(1) A licence may be transferred to another person only in accordance with this section.

(2) Accordingly, except as set out in subsection (3), where—

(a) there is a transfer of ownership of a licensed HMO,

(b) as a result of the transfer there is a new owner (or more than one), and

the licence ceases to have effect on the date of the transfer.

(3) If—

(a) there is a transfer of ownership of a licensed HMO, and

(b) before the date of the transfer, the proposed new owner (or any of them) applies for a licence in respect of the HMO (a “new licence”),

the licence which is already in effect in respect of the HMO (“the existing licence”) is to be treated as being held, from the date of the transfer, by the person or persons who made the application for the new licence (“the transferee”).

(4) But the existing licence ceases to have effect on the date mentioned in subsection (5).

(5) That date is—

(a) if the transferee's application is granted, the date from which the new licence has effect (determined in accordance with section 19(1) or (4)(a));

(b) if the transferee's application is refused—

(i) one month after the last date on which the decision to refuse the transferee's application may be appealed in accordance with section 67(4), or

(ii) if such an appeal is made, one month after the date on which the appeal is finally determined.

(6) Subsection (4) and (5) are subject—

(a) to sections 23 (revocation) and 27 (surrender), which provide for a licence in certain circumstances to cease to have effect earlier than as provided by this section, and

(b) if the transferee dies, to section 29, which provides for a licence in certain circumstances to cease to have effect earlier than, or later than, as provided by this section.

(7) In this section—

“transfer of ownership” includes the creation of a new estate;

“new owner” means a person who is an owner after the transfer but was not an owner before it.

Death of sole licence holder: effect on licence

29

(1) Where a sole licensee dies, the HMO licence—

(a) is to be treated as being held, from the date of death, by the licensee's personal representatives, but

(b) ceases to have effect 3 months after that date.

(2) The council may, on the application of the personal representatives of the licensee, extend the period for which the licence has effect beyond the date mentioned in subsection (1)(b) if the council considers that it is reasonable to do so for the purpose of winding up the licensee's estate.

(3) An application under subsection (2) must be made within the period mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

(4) The council must serve on the personal representatives notice of its decision under subsection (2).

(5) Subsections (1)(b) and (2) are subject—

(a) to sections 23 (revocation) and 27 (surrender), which provide for a licence in certain circumstances to cease to have effect earlier than as provided by this section, and

(b) if the personal representatives of the licensee transfer ownership of the HMO, to section 28, which provides for a licence in certain circumstances to cease to have effect earlier than, or later than, as provided by this section.

PART 3 — Enforcement of licensing requirements

Offences

Unlicensed HMO

30

(1) The owner of an HMO commits an offence if—

(a) the HMO is required to be licensed under section 7 but is not so licensed, and

(b) the owner does not have a reasonable excuse for not having a licence.

(2) If—

(a) an HMO is required to be licensed under section 7 but is not so licensed,

(b) any person, acting as an agent for the owner of an HMO, does anything that the agent knows will permit or facilitate the occupation of the HMO by any other person, and

the agent commits an offence.

(3) The owner of an HMO commits an offence if—

(a) the HMO is required to be licensed under section 7 but is not so licensed, and

(b) the owner authorises a person to act as mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding £20,000, and

(b) to a further fine not exceeding £50 for every day or part of a day after conviction on which the HMO is required to be licensed under section 7 but is not so licensed.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10,000.

Exceeding licensed occupancy or breach of licence conditions

31

(1) If the number of persons occupying a licensed HMO exceeds the number authorised by the licence and—

(a) the owner or managing agent of the HMO has done anything that permits or facilitates the excessive occupation, or

(b) the owner or agent knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the HMO is so occupied and does not take such steps as are reasonably necessary to ensure that the excessive occupation ceases,

the owner or agent (as the case may be) commits an offence.

(2) If—

(a) a condition in an HMO licence imposes a restriction or obligation on the owner or managing agent of the HMO or any other person named in the condition,

(b) that person breaches the condition at a time when the HMO is required to be licensed under section 7, and

the person commits an offence.

(3) If—

(a) a condition in an HMO licence imposes a restriction or obligation on any person (whether or not named in the licence),

(b) any person breaches the condition at a time when the HMO is required to be licensed under section 7,

(c) the owner or managing agent of the HMO either permits the breach or did not take such steps as are reasonably necessary to secure that the condition was not breached, and

(d) the owner or agent does not have a reasonable excuse for permitting the breach or for failing to take those steps,

the owner or agent (as the case may be) commits an offence.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding £20,000, and

(b) to a further fine not exceeding £50 for every day or part of a day after conviction on which the excessive occupation continues.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10,000.

Untrue claim that HMO is licensed

32

(1) A person who is the owner or managing agent of an HMO commits an offence if the person—

(a) claims that an HMO is licensed at a time when it is not licensed, and

(b) does not have a reasonable excuse for making that claim.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10,000.

Agents not named in licence

33

(1) The owner of a licensed HMO commits an offence if—

(a) the owner authorises any person to act as a managing agent in relation to the HMO, and

(b) the person so authorised is not named in the licence as managing agent of the HMO.

(2) A person (“A”) commits an offence if—

(a) A, on behalf of the owner of a licensed HMO, acts as a managing agent in relation to the HMO,

(b) A is not named in the licence as managing agent of the HMO, and

(3) For the purposes of this section, a person acts as a managing agent in relation to an HMO if the person—

(a) does, in relation to the HMO, any of the acts mentioned in paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “managing agent” in section 88(1), or

(b) engages in any other activity or course of activity which constitutes, or assists in, the management of the HMO.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10,000.

Reasonable excuse

34

(1) This section sets out some circumstances in which the owner of an HMO has a reasonable excuse for the purposes of sections 30(1) and 31(2) and (3).

(2) This section does not limit the circumstances which may amount to a reasonable excuse apart from this section.

(3) For the purposes of section 30(1), the owner of an HMO has a reasonable excuse for not having a licence if—

(a) an HMO licence held by the owner in respect of the HMO has been revoked, and

(b) the owner has taken reasonable steps with a view to securing that the living accommodation in question ceases to be an HMO which requires to be licensed, but

(c) despite having taken those steps, the owner is unable to stop it from being such an HMO without breaching the terms of any tenancy or other occupancy arrangement under which any person occupied it on the day on which the licence was revoked.

(4) For the purposes of section 31(2) and (3), the owner of an HMO has a reasonable excuse for breaching a condition, or for permitting such a breach, if—

(a) the owner has taken reasonable steps with a view to securing that the condition is not breached, but

(b) despite having taken those steps, the owner cannot secure compliance with the condition without breaching the terms of any tenancy or other occupancy arrangement under which any person occupied the HMO on the day on which the condition first had effect.

Rectification of breaches of conditions

Power to require rectification of breach of condition

35

(1) This section applies where the council is satisfied that—

(a) a condition in an HMO licence has been breached and the breach is ongoing or has not been rectified, or

(b) a condition in an HMO licence is likely to be breached.

(2) It does not matter whether the council has taken any other action, or whether criminal proceedings have been commenced, in respect of the breach or anticipated breach.

(3) The council may serve on the owner of the HMO a notice (a “rectification notice”) which requires the owner to take such action, specified in the notice, as the council considers appropriate for the purpose of rectifying or (as the case may be) preventing the breach.

(4) The action which may be specified includes the carrying out of work in or to the HMO.

(5) The notice must specify a date by which the action must be taken.

(6) Different dates may be specified for different actions.

(7) A date specified under subsection (5) must not be earlier than the date by which the council reasonably considers that the action can be taken.

(8) A notice which requires work to be carried out in or to the HMO may also specify particular steps which the council requires to be taken in carrying out that work.

(9) Where the action specified in a notice is or includes the carrying out of work in or to the HMO, Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 3 apply to the notice.

(10) The council must send a copy of the notice to the occupants of the HMO.

Revocation of rectification notice

36

(1) The council—

(a) may revoke a rectification notice, and

(b) must do so if it is satisfied that the owner has complied with the requirement (or all the requirements) in the notice.

(2) A notice may be revoked under this section—

(a) on the application of the owner, or

(b) on the council's own initiative.

(3) The council must serve the following on the owner and the occupants of the HMO—

(a) notice of any revocation under this section;

(b) if the owner applies for a revocation but the council decides to refuse it, notice of that refusal.

Failure to comply with rectification notice

37

(1) If the owner of an HMO fails to take any action specified in a rectification notice by the date specified in relation to that action, the owner commits an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £10,000.

(3) In determining the seriousness of an offence under subsection (1), regard is to be had to the following matters (as well as to the seriousness of the failure to take the action specified in the rectification notice)—

(a) the seriousness of the breach of the condition (if any) which resulted in the issuing of the rectification notice, and

(b) whether any such breach amounted to an offence under section 31(2) or (3).

(4) Subsection (3) applies—

(a) to a court for the purposes of sentencing, and

(b) to a council in determining the amount of a fixed penalty under section 64.

Orders of the court: revocation and disqualification

Revocation orders and disqualification orders

38

(1) This section applies where a court convicts—

(a) any person of an offence under section 30, 31, 32 or 33;

(b) any person of an offence under section 37(1);

(d) an owner or managing agent of any living accommodation of an offence under section 80(5) or 82(4) in relation to that accommodation;

(e) any person of an offence under paragraph 14 of Schedule 2 (false statement in connection with application for HMO licence).

(2) The court may (in addition to any other order it makes)—

(a) revoke any HMO licence having effect in relation to the living accommodation in question;

(b) where the convicted person is the owner of the accommodation, disqualify the person from holding an HMO licence;

(c) where the convicted person is the managing agent of the accommodation, disqualify the person from being able to act as a managing agent in relation to any HMO.

(3) Where the convicted person is a body (whether incorporated or not), the court may disqualify any director, partner or other person concerned in the management of the body in the same way in which it may disqualify the body.

(4) The court may disqualify a person under subsection (3) whether or not it disqualifies the convicted person.

(5) A disqualification order is to have effect for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as the court specifies in the order (but this is subject to sections 39 and 40).

Revocations and disqualifications: appeals

39

(1) A person may appeal against a revocation order or disqualification order in the same manner as the convicted person may appeal against sentence.

(2) The court which made a revocation order or disqualification order may suspend its effect pending such an appeal.

Discharge of disqualification orders

40

(1) The court which made a disqualification order may discharge the order with effect from such date as the court may specify.

(2) Such a discharge is to be made on the application of the person disqualified.

(3) No such discharge is to be made unless the court is satisfied that there has been a change in circumstances which justifies the discharge.

(4) No application under this section may be made during the first year for which a disqualification order has effect.

(5) The court may order the applicant to pay the whole or part of the expenses arising from an application under this section (whether or not the application is granted).

PART 4 — Standards of housing

CHAPTER 1 — Overcrowding

Definition

Definition of overcrowding

41

An HMO is overcrowded for the purposes of this Chapter when the number of persons who sleep in it is such as to contravene—

(a) the room standard (set out in section 42), or

(b) the space standard (set out in section 43).

The room standard

42

(1) The room standard is contravened when the number of persons who sleep in the HMO and the number of rooms available as sleeping accommodation are such that any person aged 13 or over must sleep in the same room as—

(a) any person of the opposite sex who is also aged 13 or over, or

(b) a couple (within the meaning given by section 88(3)(a)).

(2) For this purpose, a room is available as sleeping accommodation if it is of a type normally used in the locality either as a bedroom or as a living room.

The space standard

43

(1) The space standard is contravened when the number of persons who sleep in the HMO exceeds the permitted number for that HMO.

(2) In determining for the purpose of subsection (1) the number of persons who sleep in an HMO—

(a) no account is to be taken of a child under the age of one, and

(b) a child aged 11 or less (but aged at least one) is to be counted as one-half of a person.

(3) To calculate the permitted number for an HMO—

(a) for each room in the HMO which is available as sleeping accommodation, determine, by reference to what type of room it is, which of Tables 1, 2 and 3 applies to that room,

(b) determine, by reference to the floor area of the room, the permitted number of persons for that room, and

The total is the permitted number for the HMO.

Floor area of room	Permitted number for the room
Less than 6.5m²	No account is to be taken of the room
6.5m² or more but less then 11m²	1
11m² or more but less than 15m²	2
15m² or more but less then 19.5m²	3
19.5m² or more	4 plus one additional person for each 4.5m² in excess of 19.5m²
Floor area of room	Permitted number for the room
---	---
Less than 10m²	No account is to be taken of the room
10m² or more but less than 15m²	1
15m² or more but less than 19.5m²	2
19.5m² or more	3 plus one additional person for each 4.5m² in excess of 19.5m²
Floor area of room	Permitted number for the room
---	---
Less than 13m²	No account is to be taken of the room
13m² or more but less than 20.5m²	1
20.5m² or more	2 plus one additional person for each 4.5m² in excess of 20.5m²

(4) For the purpose of subsection (3), a room is available as sleeping accommodation if it is of a type normally used in the locality as a bedroom, as a bedroom and living room or as a bedroom, living room and kitchen (as the case may be).

(5) The Department may make regulations which specify the manner in which the floor area of a room is to be determined for the purposes of this section.

(6) The regulations may, in particular, provide for the exclusion from computation, or the bringing into computation at a reduced figure, of floor space in a part of the room which is of less than a height specified in the regulations.

(7) A certificate of the council stating the number and floor areas of the rooms in an HMO, and that the floor areas have been determined in the manner specified in regulations, is evidence for the purposes of legal proceedings of the matters stated in it.

Overcrowding notices

44

(1) This section applies where a council believes that—

(a) an HMO is overcrowded, or

(b) an HMO is likely to become overcrowded.

(2) The council may issue a notice which complies with section 45 (an “overcrowding notice”).

(3) At least 7 days before issuing an overcrowding notice, the council must serve a notice which—

(a) states the council's belief mentioned in subsection (1),

(b) states the grounds for that belief, and

(c) invites the person on whom the notice is served to make, within the period of 7 days beginning with the date of service of the notice, representations about the proposal to issue the overcrowding notice.

(4) Notice under subsection (3) must be served on—

(a) any person appearing to the council to be the owner of the HMO;

(b) any person appearing to the council to be a managing agent of the HMO.

(5) The council must send a copy of the notice to the occupants of the HMO.

(6) In determining whether to issue an overcrowding notice, the council must have regard to any representations made within the period mentioned in subsection (3)(c).

Contents of overcrowding notice

45

(1) An overcrowding notice must state, in relation to each room in the HMO and in accordance with section 43—

(a) what is the permitted number of persons for that room, or

(b) that the room is unsuitable to be occupied as sleeping accommodation.

(2) An overcrowding notice must contain—

(a) the requirement as to overcrowding generally (set out in section 46), or

(b) the requirement not to permit new residents (set out in section 47).

(3) A council which has issued an overcrowding notice containing the requirement not to permit new residents may, at any time, withdraw that notice and issue instead an overcrowding notice containing the requirement as to overcrowding generally.

(4) If the permitted number for a licensed HMO (calculated in accordance with section 43(3)) is less than the number of persons authorised to occupy the HMO as specified in the licence, the overcrowding notice must state that the council proposes to vary the licence accordingly.

(5) Schedule 4 (procedure for varying or revoking licences) does not apply to a proposal to vary a licence under subsection (4); but the proposal does not have effect unless and until the overcrowding notice becomes operative in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 5.

(6) An overcrowding notice may state that its operation is suspended in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 5.

Requirement as to overcrowding generally

46

(1) The requirement as to overcrowding generally is that the person on whom the notice is served must refrain from—

(a) permitting any room to be occupied as sleeping accommodation otherwise than in accordance with the overcrowding notice, and

(b) permitting such number of persons to occupy the HMO as sleeping accommodation that it is not possible to comply with the room standard (see section 42).

(2) The reference in subsection (1)(b) to complying with the room standard is to doing so on the assumption that—

(a) the persons occupying the HMO as sleeping accommodation sleep only in rooms for which a maximum is set by the notice, and

(b) the maximum set for each room is not exceeded.

Requirement not to permit new residents

47

(1) The requirement not to permit new residents is that the person on whom the notice is served must refrain from—

(a) permitting any room to be occupied by a new resident as sleeping accommodation otherwise than in accordance with the notice, and

(b) permitting a new resident to occupy any part of the HMO as sleeping accommodation if the result of doing so is that it is not possible to comply with the room standard (see section 42).

(2) In subsection (1) “new resident” means a person who was not an occupier of the HMO immediately before the notice was served.

(3) The reference in subsection (1)(b) to complying with the room standard is to doing so on the assumption that—

(a) the persons occupying the HMO as sleeping accommodation sleep only in rooms for which a maximum is set by the notice, and

(b) the maximum set for each room is not exceeded.

Notice requiring further information

48

(1) A council that issues an overcrowding notice in relation to an HMO may issue a notice under this section (an “information notice”) in relation to that HMO.

(2) An information notice is a notice that requires the person on whom it is served to supply to the council a statement giving all or any of the following particulars—

(a) the number of individuals who are, on a date specified in the notice, occupying any part of the HMO as sleeping accommodation;

(b) the names of those individuals;

(d) the relationships between the individuals, and the household to which each individual belongs; and

(e) the rooms used by the individuals and households respectively.

(3) An information notice may be served on—

(a) any person on whom the overcrowding notice is required to be served under paragraph 1 of Schedule 5, or

(b) any person to whom a copy of the overcrowding notice is required to be sent under that paragraph.

(4) An information notice must require the statement to be supplied—

(a) in writing, and

(b) within 7 days of the date of the notice or such longer period as the council may specify in the notice.

(5) An information notice may be combined with, or issued after, the overcrowding notice.

Information notice: supplementary provisions

49

(1) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) refuses or fails to provide information as required by an information notice, and

(b) does not have a reasonable excuse for that refusal or failure.

(2) A person commits an offence if—

(a) the person provides information in response to an information notice,

(b) the information is false or misleading in a material particular, and

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(4) Information provided by a person in response to an information notice may be used in criminal proceedings as evidence against the person only where subsection (5) or (6) applies.

(5) This subsection applies where the person is being prosecuted for an offence under Article 7 or 10 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (false statutory declarations and other false unsworn statements).

(6) This subsection applies where the person is being prosecuted for any other offence and—

(a) in giving evidence the person makes a statement inconsistent with the information provided in response to the notice, and

(b) evidence relating to that information is adduced, or a question about it is asked, by or on behalf of the person.

CHAPTER 2 — Suitability for numbers in occupation

Suitability notice

50

(1) This section applies where the council determines that an HMO is not suitable for occupation by the number of persons whom the council knows, or believes, to be occupying it.

(2) The council may issue a notice which complies with section 51 (a “suitability notice”).

(3) In making a determination under subsection (1), the council must have regard to—

(a) the minimum standards set under section 13(3) for the accommodation's condition, facilities or equipment for that number of persons, and

(b) the extent (if any) to which the HMO falls short of the provisions of building regulations.

(4) In having regard to the minimum standards referred to in subsection (3)(a), the council—

(a) cannot be satisfied that the HMO is suitable if the council considers that it fails to meet the standards, but

(b) may decide that the HMO is not suitable for occupation by that number even if it does meet the standards.

Contents of suitability notice

51

(1) A suitability notice must specify what the council considers to be the maximum number of persons by whom the HMO is suitable to be occupied.

(2) A suitability notice must contain—

(a) the general occupancy requirement (set out in section 52(1)), or

(b) the new residents' occupancy requirement (set out in section 52(2)).

(3) A suitability notice may also contain a statement of remedial work (see section 53).

(4) If, in relation to a licensed HMO, the number of persons specified under subsection (1) differs from the number of persons authorised to occupy the HMO as specified in the licence, the suitability notice must state that the council proposes to vary the licence accordingly.

(5) Schedule 4 (procedure for varying or revoking licences) does not apply to a proposal to vary a licence under subsection (4); but the proposal does not have effect unless and until the suitability notice becomes operative in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 5.

(6) A suitability notice may state that its operation is suspended in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 5.

Occupancy requirements

52

(1) The general occupancy requirement is that the person on whom the notice is served must refrain from permitting more than the maximum number of persons to occupy the HMO.

(2) The new residents' occupancy requirement is that the person on whom the notice is served must refrain from permitting any new resident to occupy the HMO if that new resident's occupation results in the HMO being occupied by more than the maximum number of persons.

(3) In this section—

(a) the “maximum number of persons” is the number stated in the notice in accordance with section 51(1), and

(b) “new resident” means a person who was not an occupier of the HMO immediately before the notice was served.

Statement of remedial work

53

(1) A statement of remedial work is a statement of work which the council considers would, if carried out in or to the HMO, make it suitable for occupation by—

(a) the number of persons whom the council knows or believes to be occupying it, or

(b) such smaller number of persons as is specified in the statement.

(2) A statement of remedial work must state that, if the work is carried out by a date specified in the statement, the suitability notice will be revoked under paragraph 7(3) of Schedule 5.

(3) A date specified under subsection (2)—

(a) must be not less than 21 days after the date on which the notice takes effect, and

(b) must not be earlier than the date by which the council reasonably considers that the work can be completed.

(4) A statement of remedial work may also specify particular steps which the council requires to be taken in carrying out that work.

(5) A statement of remedial work may not specify any fire safety measures within the meaning of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

(6) Part 1 of Schedule 3 applies to a suitability notice that includes a statement of remedial work.

CHAPTER 3 — Hazards

Definition of hazard

54

(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, there is a “hazard” in an HMO if—

(a) there is a risk of harm of a prescribed description to the health or safety of an actual or potential occupier of the HMO, and

(b) the risk arises from a deficiency—

(i) in the accommodation which forms the HMO,

(ii) in any building or land of which that accommodation forms part, or

(iii) in any building or land in the vicinity of that accommodation.

(2) It does not matter whether the deficiency arises as a result of the construction of any building, an absence of maintenance or repair, or otherwise.

(3) “Prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Department.

Hazard notice

55

(1) If the council is satisfied that a hazard exists in an HMO, the council may issue a notice which complies with sections 56 and 57 (a “hazard notice”).

(2) A hazard notice may relate to more than one hazard in the same HMO or in the same building containing one or more flats.

(3) If the council is satisfied that the hazard (or one of the hazards) in relation to which a hazard notice is issued involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of any of the occupiers of the HMO or any other living accommodation, the notice may state—

(a) that it is an “emergency hazard notice”, and

(b) that it is to come into operation immediately.

(4) For provisions under which an emergency hazard notice is treated differently from other hazard notices, see—

(a) section 57(4) and paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 5 (suspension of notices);

(b) paragraph 1(2) and (4) of Schedule 5 (service of emergency hazard notices);

Contents of hazard notice: prohibitions

56

(1) A hazard notice is a notice imposing such prohibition (or prohibitions) on the use of any premises as the council considers appropriate in view of the hazard or hazards to which the notice relates.

(2) The notice must specify—

(a) each prohibition, and

(b) the premises in relation to which each prohibition is imposed.

(3) A hazard notice may impose a prohibition on the use of premises as follows—

(a) if the hazard is in an HMO which is not a flat, the notice may impose a prohibition on the use of the HMO;

(b) if the hazard is in a flat or flats, the notice may impose a prohibition on the use of the flat or flats, or on the use of the building containing the flat or flats (or any part of that building) or any external common parts.

(4) But a hazard notice may not, by virtue of subsection (3)(b), prohibit use of any part of the building or its external common parts that is not included in the HMO in which the hazard exists, unless the council is satisfied—

(a) that the deficiency from which the hazard arises is situated there, and

(b) that it is necessary for such use to be prohibited in order to protect the health or safety of any actual or potential occupiers of one or more of the flats.

(5) A prohibition may prohibit use of the premises, or of any part of the premises, either—

(a) for all purposes, or

(b) for any particular purpose,

except (in either case) to the extent to which any use of the premises or part is approved by the council.

As to approvals by the council, see section 59.

(6) A prohibition imposed by virtue of subsection (5)(b) may, in particular, relate to—

(a) occupation of the premises or part by more than a particular number of households or persons; or

(b) occupation of the premises or part by particular descriptions of persons.

Contents of hazard notices: other matters

57

(1) A hazard notice must specify, in relation to the hazard (or each of the hazards) to which it relates—

(a) the nature of the hazard,

(b) the HMO in which it exists, and

(2) A hazard notice may contain a works requirement (see section 58).

(3) A hazard notice must specify the date on which the notice is made.

(4) A hazard notice (other than an emergency hazard notice) may state that its operation is suspended in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 5.

Works requirement

58

(1) A works requirement is a requirement that the owner carry out work in or to the HMO or other premises for the purpose of removing the hazard.

(2) A hazard notice that includes a works requirement must specify—

(a) the work to be carried out, and

(b) a date by which the work must be completed.

(3) Different dates may be specified for different work.

(4) A date specified under subsection (2)(b)—

(a) must be not less than 21 days after the date on which the notice takes effect, and

(b) must not be earlier than the date by which the council reasonably considers that the work can be completed.

(5) A hazard notice that includes a works requirement must state that, if the work is carried out by the date specified in it (or, where more than one date is specified, the last of them), the hazard notice will be revoked under paragraph 7(4) of Schedule 5.

(6) A hazard notice that includes a works requirement may also specify particular steps which the council requires to be taken in carrying out that work.

(7) A hazard notice may not require the owner to take any fire safety measures within the meaning of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

(8) Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 3 apply to a hazard notice that includes a works requirement.

Approvals as to use of premises

59

(1) Any approval of the council for the purposes of section 56(5) must not be unreasonably withheld.

(2) If the council refuses to give any such approval, it must notify the person applying for it of—

(a) the decision,

(b) the reasons for the decision,

(d) the period within which an appeal may be made.

(3) The person applying for the approval may appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction against the decision within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice under subsection (2) was served.

CHAPTER 4 — Further provision about notices under this Part

Offences

60

(1) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) contravenes a requirement in an overcrowding notice, and

(b) does not have a reasonable excuse for doing so.

(2) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) contravenes a general occupancy requirement or a new residents' occupancy requirement in a suitability notice, and

(b) does not have a reasonable excuse for doing so.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding £20,000, and

(b) to a further fine not exceeding £50 for every day or part of a day after conviction on which the person contravenes the requirement in question.

(4) A person commits an offence if the person—

(a) knows that a hazard notice has become operative in relation to any specified premises,

(b) uses the premises, or permits the premises to be used, in contravention of the notice, and

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding £20,000, and

(b) to a further fine not exceeding £50 for every day or part of a day after conviction on which the person so uses the premises or permits them to be so used.

(6) If the owner of an HMO fails to carry out work specified in a works requirement in a hazard notice by the date specified in relation to that work, the owner commits an offence.

(7) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Further provision

61

Schedule5 makes further provision about notices under this Part.

PART 5 — Supplementary

HMO register

62

(1) Every council must keep a register containing the information required by subsections (2) to (4).

(2) The register must contain details of each application for an HMO licence made to the council, including—

(a) the name of the applicant,

(b) the address of the living accommodation in question,

(d) the date on which the application was made.

(3) The register must contain a note of the council's decision on each application, including in the case of decision to grant a licence—

(a) the name of the licence holder;

(b) the number of persons authorised to occupy the HMO (as specified in the licence under section 7(3)(c));

(d) any variation, revocation or surrender of the licence under section 22, 23 or 27.

(4) The register must contain a note of—

(a) any revocation order or disqualification order made in relation to the HMO, its owner or any managing agent of it;

(b) any Part 4 notice issued in respect of the HMO.

(5) The register may contain such other information as the council considers appropriate.

(6) The council must exclude from its register any information which it would otherwise enter in the register, if the council considers that entering the information is likely to jeopardise—

(a) the safety or welfare of any person, or

(b) the security of any premises.

(7) The council must make any entry relating to an HMO available for inspection, by any person who falls within subsection (9) in relation to that entry—

(a) at its head office at all reasonable times, and

(b) in such other manner as the council considers appropriate.

(8) The council must supply a certified copy of an entry relating to an HMO to any person who falls within subsection (9) in relation to that entry and requests such a copy.

(9) A person falls within this subsection in relation to an entry if the person appears to the council—

(a) to have an interest or prospective interest in the HMO,

(b) to be a resident of the HMO, or

(10) In subsection (9), an “interest” is—

(a) a freehold or leasehold estate;

(b) a mortgage, charge or lien.

(11) The council must, on the request of any statutory authority—

(a) make its register available for inspection by the authority;

(b) supply a certified copy of its register, or of an extract from it, to the authority.

(12) The council may charge a reasonable fee for supplying a copy under subsection (8) or (11) (see also section 84 in relation to such fees).

(13) A copy of a register, or of an entry in or other extract from a register, which is certified by an officer of the council to be a true copy is evidence of the matters contained in it.

Code of practice

63

(1) The Department may make regulations approving a code of practice laying down standards of conduct and practice to be followed with regard to the management of houses in multiple occupation.

(2) The standards laid down in the code may, in particular, relate to—

(a) the repair, maintenance, cleansing and good order of—

(i) all means of water supply and drainage in the house,

(ii) all means of escape from fire and all apparatus, systems and other things provided by way of fire precautions,

(iii) kitchens, bathrooms and water closets,

(iv) sinks and wash-basins,

(v) staircases, corridors and passage ways, and

(vi) outbuildings, yards and gardens;

(b) the making of satisfactory arrangements for the disposal of refuse and litter from the house; and

(3) The code may—

(a) specify the persons who are, for the purposes of the code, to be treated as the managers of houses;

(b) impose a duty on the person managing the house to cause a copy of the code to be displayed in a suitable position in the house.

(4) The Department may by regulations—

(a) approve a modification of a code of practice under this section, or

(b) withdraw its approval of such a code or modification.

(5) The code, and any modification, may be prepared by the Department or by another person.

(6) The Department may approve a code of practice or a modification of a code only if satisfied that—

(a) the code or modification has been published (whether by the Department or by another person) in a manner that the Department considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the code or modification to the attention of those likely to be affected by it, or

(b) arrangements have been made for the code or modification to be so published.

(7) Before approving a code of practice or a modification of a code, the Department must consult—

(a) persons involved in the management of HMOs, or such persons as appear to the Department to be representative of them, and

(b) persons occupying HMOs, or such persons as appear to the Department to be representative of them.

(8) A failure to comply with a code of practice for the time being approved under this section—

(a) does not of itself make a person liable to civil or criminal proceedings, but

(b) in accordance with section 10(4)(e), may be taken into account as a relevant matter in deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person for the purposes of this Act.

Fixed penalty as alternative to prosecution

Fixed penalty: service of notice

64

(1) This section applies where an authorised officer of a council has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under any of the following provisions—

(a) section 30, 31, 32 or 33;

(b) section 37(1);

(d) section 60;

(e) section 75;

(f) section 80(5);

(g) section 82(4);

(h) paragraph 14 of Schedule 2;

(i) paragraph 8 of Schedule 3.

(2) The officer may serve on the person a notice which—

(a) offers the person the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty,

(b) contains the information required by subsections (3) to (5) and (7),

(d) is in such form as the council specifies by general notice.

(3) The notice must give particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence.

(4) The notice must state the amount of the fixed penalty, which is to be determined by the council but must not exceed—

(a) in the case of an offence under section 30(1) or (2), 31(1) or 60(1), (2) or (4), £5,000;

(b) in the case of an offence under section 30(3), 31(2) or (3), 32, 33 or 37(1), £2,500;

(d) in the case of an offence under section 49, section 75 or paragraph 14 of Schedule 2, £200.

(5) The notice must state the period during which (in accordance with section 65(1)) proceedings will not be commenced for the offence.

(6) The fixed penalty is to be payable to the council.

(7) The notice must state the arrangements for paying the fixed penalty; and those arrangements must include, at the least, a person to whom and an address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

(8) An “authorised officer” of a council is an officer who is authorised in writing by the council for the purposes of this section.

Fixed penalty: effect of notice

65

(1) Where a notice under section 64 is served on a person in respect of an offence—

(a) no proceedings may be commenced against the person for the offence before the end of the period of 14 days, or such other longer period as may be specified in the notice, following the date on which the notice is served; and

(b) the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

(2) In any proceedings a certificate which—

(a) purports to be signed on behalf of the clerk of the council, and

(b) states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

(3) A council may use amounts paid to it in pursuance of notices under section 64 only for the purposes of its functions under this Act or such other of its functions as may be specified in regulations made by the Department.

Fixed penalty: power to alter amounts

66

(1) The Department may by order substitute for any sum specified in section 64(4) such other sum as appears to the Department—

(a) to be justified by a change in the value of money appearing to the Department to have taken place since the passing of this Act or since the last occasion on which an order was made under this section, or

(b) to be appropriate to take account of an order which has been made, or is proposed to be made, under Article 17(2) of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 altering the standard scale set out in Article 5(2) of that Order.

(2) An order under subsection (1)—

(a) is subject to negative resolution, and

(b) does not affect the punishment for an offence committed before that order comes into force.

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