From 2006, all owners of HMO’s in Amber Valley which were occupied by 5 or more residents, who are not forming a single household, where the building was 3 storeys or more have been required to hold a mandatory licence under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004.
From 1 October 2018, landlords of HMO’s occupied by 5 or more residents, not from a single household, regardless of number of stories will need to have applied for a licence.
Amber Valley Borough Council currently does not operate any selective licensing schemes.
The definition of a HMO is contained within Sections 254-259 of the Housing Act 2004.
It generally includes:
For the purposes of the Housing Act 2004, the following are considered to be ‘households’:
Members of the same family living together including;
Any domestic staff are also included in the household if they are living rent-free in accommodation provided by the person for whom they are working.
Therefore, three friends sharing together are considered three households. If a couple are sharing with a third person, that would consist of two households. If a family rents a property that is a single household, and if they had an au-pair to look after their children they would be part of the same household.
Please view the council’s register of licensed HMOs.
There is government guidance relating to the process.
A landlord who fails to apply for a licence by 1 October 2018 will be committing a criminal offence.
From 1 August 2018, the updated application form and guidance will be available to enable landlords to begin the application process. Completed applications must be received by 1 October 2018. The council will aim to make a decision on the licence application within 8 weeks, and will intend to carry out an inspection of the premises to check it’s suitability during this time frame.
On 20 June 2018, Amber Valley Borough Council agreed at full council to adopt the HMO Licensing Policy 2018.
Appendix 1 shows details of the council’s HMO fees policy and Appendix 2 shows the amenity and space standard adopted in the borough.
After 1 October 2018, where HMO’s are found which meet the criteria for licensing, but an application for a licence has not been made, action shall be taken in line with the council’s enforcement policy and civil penalties and rent repayment orders policy.
The fee to apply for a licence is £428.62. A licence will be granted where:
Once a decision is made to approve a licence then a secondary fee is £298.17.
You can apply online via the gov.uk website, please visit: www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence/amber-valley
Alternatively you can download a paper version of this form and return this to
David Arkle - Amber Valley Borough Council, Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3BT.
Please consult the guidance notes for applicants for further information to prepare for this change.
Tacit consent does not apply as it is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. It is our aim to do this within 56 days of a full application being received. If you haven’t had a response within this time, please contact the council.
Failed application or licence holder redress - please contact the housing team in the first instance. You may also appeal to the upper tier tribunal regarding your failed application or relating to the conditions attached to the licence of any decision to vary or revoke the licence. Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made. For more information please visit the Justice website.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841335 or email eh-housing@ambervalley.gov.uk
