Applying for a Licence

How do I apply for a licence ?

Apply online

• Apply for a house in multiple occupancy licence
• Tell us about a change to your existing house in multiple occupancy licence

Please note that you will be making your application to Thanet Council via Businesslink’s online licensing service (UK Welcomes) . There is no charge for using this facility.

or

• You should contact the Housing Improvement Team at Thanet District Council if you think your property needs a licence. They can offer advice and send you an application form and information pack.
• Alternatively Download the application pack. PDF, (2.48mb)
  
  

The application form will contain notes to help you complete it. It also asks you to provide certain information, which you must include with your application form.

The application form and all supporting documents must be returned to the Housing Improvement Team.

If you are having problems with obtaining the information required, please contact the team immediately to advise them that your application may be delayed.

Please be aware that unnecessary delays in making an application may lead to the Council instigating prosecution proceedings, which could lead to fines of up to £20,000.

Your application will only be processed if it is complete and all necessary documentation has been provided. You will be advised if any information is missing.

Charges

A fee will be charged for each licence applied for. The fee is based on the size of the property and payment must be included with your application. Current fee charges are available here

Granting a licence

From the information you provide in your application, the Housing Improvement Team will make a decision as to whether a licence should be granted, or, refused.

If a licence is granted, it will have a number of conditions attached to it. These conditions will relate to the maintenance and management of the property.

A breach of these conditions may lead to prosecution of the licence holder, with fines of up to £5000 for each breach of conditions.

• Owners and managers can hold a licence for a property. It is preferable that the licence holder is local to the property, to ensure it can be properly managed and problems are dealt with quickly.
• The house is or can be made suitable for multiple occupation
• the proposed manager has control of the house, and is a fit and proper person to be the manager
• the management arrangements are satisfactory

Standard licence conditions

The following conditions must be followed by all licence holders:

• A valid gas safety certificate must be submitted to the  Housing Improvement Team every year
• Electrical appliances and furniture provided in the property must be kept in a safe condition
• The landlord must supply a declaration on the safety of all appliances and furniture used in the property
• Smoke alarms must be installed in the house and they must be kept in proper working order at all times
• All occupiers must be provided with a written statement of the terms by which they occupy the property e.g. a tenancy agreement

Other conditions that may be added could include:

• Restrictions on the use or occupation of parts of the property
• Requirement of reasonable and practicable steps to be taken to prevent or reduce anti-social behaviour by persons occupying or visiting the house

When a licence is granted to a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO), the Housing Improvement Team must inspect the property within 5 years.  Thanet District Council’s Housing Improvement Team plan to inspect all licensed properties within a two year period.

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the HMO is free from hazards that affect the health and safety of the residents and their visitors.

Housing Improvement Team

E-mail:

housing.conditions
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577437