26 Oct 26
Contributed article by Des Taylor
Not knowing your property needed a licence is not a legal defence.
Licensing offences are often treated as strict liability.
If your property requires a licence and you don’t have one, or you haven’t submitted a valid application, you could face enforcement regardless of whether the failure was intentional.
Even if a tenant created an HMO without your knowledge, that may not excuse the offence.
If the council contacts you, think carefully before responding.
Many landlords unintentionally damage their own position by trying to explain what happened before taking professional advice.
Understanding your legal position first can make a significant difference to how your case is handled.
The right advice at the right time can help you protect your interests and avoid making matters worse.
