Insurance News Archive
HMO law 'contradictory and confusing'
Landlords could be unintentionally breaking the law due to a lack of awareness of House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing laws, it is claimed.
Chris Horne, editor of Property Hawk, says the fact HMOs are governed by two different aspects of the law - planning legislation and housing regulations - can make them contradictory and confusing.
He states this means there is a danger that landlords are not sure when they need one and when they do not.
According to Mr Horne, it is possible many landlords could have been letting an HMO without a licence and it has not been brought to their attention.
He continues: "They're just carrying on as they've always carried on, while actually falling foul of the new law. Certainly it's not the clearest legislation."
The beginning of this month marked two years since councils were given powers to enforce the licensing of HMOs.
Landlords can be prosecuted and face fines of up to £20,000 if they fail to comply with the legislation.
22 Jul 2008
