Good evening
Hopefully a quick question, but we shall see.
I have recently bought a property with a friend in the Portsmouth area.
I have been away and during this period it has been rented out to 3 students and 1 non student.
At present there is no tenancy agreement in place as we have both been out of the country for a spell. One is being put together, hopefully before the end of this year.
I have been reading around this forum and links people have posted and have a few questions/issues. Let me state my intent is to ring the Citizens Avice Bureau and the Local Council and obtain their input while in the area.
Questions
1- with 4 tenants, I believe the property would be counted as a HMO.
When we bought the property non of this was mentioned, so we might well be behind the times on this (ie HMO license requst prior to renting the property). Having read that there is a £20k fine I am quite concerned and I'm wondering if there is a grace period.
2- The list of requirements for an HMO is quite confusing. I have read more then 5 occupants and more then 3 stories, while I have also read more then 3 households. I was wondering in my situation if a HMO license is required?
3- As the property is rented to 3 students and 1 non student, I believe the non student would be required to pay 75% of the council tax.
My query on this one is when it comes to the HMO status, the owner pays the council tax unless stated in the tenancy agreement. Therefore if we are not liable for a HMO license, would the non student bear full responsibility?
Many thanks
DC
Hopefully a quick question, but we shall see.
I have recently bought a property with a friend in the Portsmouth area.
I have been away and during this period it has been rented out to 3 students and 1 non student.
At present there is no tenancy agreement in place as we have both been out of the country for a spell. One is being put together, hopefully before the end of this year.
I have been reading around this forum and links people have posted and have a few questions/issues. Let me state my intent is to ring the Citizens Avice Bureau and the Local Council and obtain their input while in the area.
Questions
1- with 4 tenants, I believe the property would be counted as a HMO.
When we bought the property non of this was mentioned, so we might well be behind the times on this (ie HMO license requst prior to renting the property). Having read that there is a £20k fine I am quite concerned and I'm wondering if there is a grace period.
2- The list of requirements for an HMO is quite confusing. I have read more then 5 occupants and more then 3 stories, while I have also read more then 3 households. I was wondering in my situation if a HMO license is required?
3- As the property is rented to 3 students and 1 non student, I believe the non student would be required to pay 75% of the council tax.
My query on this one is when it comes to the HMO status, the owner pays the council tax unless stated in the tenancy agreement. Therefore if we are not liable for a HMO license, would the non student bear full responsibility?
Many thanks
DC