London Borough of Newham

Property Licensing

Licence Term Extension Policy

This policy relates to licence term extensionsfor
Additional HMO Licenses due to expire on 31 December 2017
  1. Qualifying Licences:

Full term Additional HMO licences issued since 15 June 2017 are now issued for a total of five years (maximum permitted duration under the Housing Act 2004). The five-year duration commences from the date of valid application.

Prior to 15 June 17, full term licences were issued for a period of less than the maximum permitted duration and until the end of the current Additional HMO licensing designation on 31 Dec 2017. Licence holders now have an opportunity to adjust the licence term or take advantage of the early renewal discount currently on offer.

  1. Options Available:

Licence holders with existing licences issued since January 2012 for a period of less than five years (excluding reduced term / one year licences) and expiring on 31 Dec 17 can choose to:

a)Apply for an extension to the licence expiry date (up to a maximum of five years in total from the date the initial licence was valid from) and where certain eligibility criteria is met (see section 4 of this policy document); or

b)Retain the existing licence due to expire and renew at a discount before 14 December 2017

Licence applications submitted after the discount period (including renewals) and after the licence has expired will be subject to standard fees. An exception to this rule has been detailed in section 6.

Please note that failure to hold a valid licence, including failure to renew licences before expiry, can lead to prosecution action and be subject to an unlimited fine on conviction or face a civil penalty of up to £30,000.

  1. Fees

Discount Fee (until 14 Dec 17) / £800
Standard Fee (after 14 Dec 17) / £1,250
  1. Eligibility Criteria for licence extension

Landlords will not be eligible for an extension to the licence term if the following actions have been recorded against the property licence record or licence holder:

  • Licence application made following notification (warning letter) to licence issued by council*
  • Simple caution issued for housing offences or related offences
  • Prosecutions action taken / criminal conviction for housing or related offences
  • One year licence issued as part of the council’s cause for concern assessment

*concessions may be permitted for newly acquired rental properties (at the time of notification issue) which is supported by evidence provided by the licence holder and verified through council or Land registry held data.

  1. Application Process

The licence holder must make an application in writing to the council explicitly requesting an extension to the licence term using the form provided in this document and by including the following information:

  • Reason for extension to licence term
  • Supporting evidence (if exemption to eligibility criteria present)
  • Licence reference
  • Address of licensed property
  • Your name, address and contact details

This application must be submitted by 14 December 2017. Applicants will be notified if the request for an extension has been approved or declined within five working days.

The deadline provides the council with sufficient time to assess and determine eligibility prior to expiration of the licence whilst also allowing licence holders adequate time to submit renewal licence applications for declined requests.

  1. Decision following Application Submission

Applicants will be notified of one the following decisions:

  • Approved applications will have the existing licences term extended and will receive a notification of variation with agreement of the licence holder confirming any agreed change to the licence.
  • Declined applications will be notified and subsequent licence renewal application must to be submitted before 31 December 2017

The renewalfee discount period may be extended for declined applications where valid My Newham account details were provided as part the application form.

London Borough of Newham

Property Licensing under the Housing Act 2004

Application for an Extension to the Licence Term of an Additional HMO Licence

Please note that is it an offence to provide false information and that the council will verify the information given
This form must be completed by the licence holder and returned to by 14 December 2017. Applications received after this date, from an interested party who is not the licence holder or incomplete applications will not be considered.
1. Address of property:
Click or tap here to enter text. /
Postcode:Click or tap here to enter text.
Licence Reference Number / Click or tap here to enter text. /
2. Your Details (you must be the licence holder of the above licence):
Surname / Click or tap here to enter text. / First Name(s) / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Address: / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Postcode / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Email Address / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Telephone No. / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Registered email for your ‘My Newham’ account / Click or tap here to enter text. /
3. Eligibility

Tick the corresponding box if you answer ‘yes’ to the questions below:

Is your current Additional HMO licence valid for less than five years?
(i.e. the time between the start and end date of the licence is less than five years) / ☐
Does your licence expire on 31 December 2017? / ☐
Did you apply for a licence without (or before) receiving a notification or warning to licence? / ☐
You have not had any of the following actions taken against you or against any properties you own/manage:
  • Simple caution
  • Prosecutions action taken / criminal conviction
  • Reduced term licence
/ ☐

Applications will be considered if they meet certain eligibility criteria. If you have ticked yes to all of the above questions you may qualify for an extension to your licence.

4. Supporting Evidence

Complete this section if exemption to eligibility criteria present; please specify if any attachments are provided

Click or tap here to enter text. /
4. Declaration

I declare that I am the licence holder for the above property and I am making an application for the extension of a current Additional HMO licence. I agree that by making this application I will not be eligible for a renewal discount on expiry of any subsequent extended licence issued as a result of this application and will be subject to the standard fee applicable at the time. I agree that if this application is declined, I will need to submit a renewal application before the current licence expires on 31 Dec 2017.

I/we declare that the information contained in this application is correct to the best of my/our knowledge.I/We understand that I/we commit an offence if I/We supply any information to a local housing authority in connection with any of their functions under any of Parts 1 to 4 of the Housing Act 2004, that is false or misleading and which I/we know is false or misleading or I am/we are reckless as to whether it is false or misleading.

I/We understand action may be taken against me if I give incorrect or incomplete information. I/We authorise Newham council to make any enquiries that are necessary to confirm the information I have given.

Signature: / Click or tap here to enter text. / Date: / Click or tap here to enter text. /