HMO (House of multiple occupancy)

[abstibus]

The owner of the house next to me told me that his licence to run it as an HMO would expire last year, and that he did not think it would be renewed.

He is still letting it out,.

Normally, I wouldn;t bother with this, but the floating population of tenants are a highly undesirable lot - none work, they have plenty of money for drink and whatever else keeps them and their numerous visitors going through their noisy all-weekend parties.

How can I find out if his licence is still valid (Northern Ireland)?

Many thanks

[Sandy-Wroe]

Contact the NI planning service. Tel [phone]

[abstibus]

Thanks, Sandy-Wroe.
I'll get on to it in the morning. Could he claim that he is only letting one flat, and that he is not aware that others are using other rooms/ flats in the house?
I think the tenants come via the Housing Executive - I have to say that in my darkest moments I thought it might have been a bail hostel! That will give you some idea of the tenants.

[Sandy-Wroe]

If the house is not up to HMO standards the landlord could probably
get grants from the Housing Executive for fire escapes, fire-proof doors, and the like.
In the meantime he could claim that he's letting it to a couple and he doesn't know about any other people living there. But if he did that the others couldn't claim housing benefit.
I had a flat in a similar house once and it was like living in a nightmare. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

[abstibus]

Thanks again, Sandy-Wroe.
He got a grant some years ago (£30,000) to bring it up to standard (!!)
I'll put on my Sherlock Holmes hat and keep digging.