A landlord licence -- mandatory HMO, additional HMO, or selective -- can be revoked by the local housing authority at any time. Revocation takes effect unless successfully appealed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Grounds for licence revocation
- Fit and proper person failure: criminal conviction, Database of Rogue Landlords entry, or conduct showing unsuitability
- Persistent or serious breach of licence conditions (fire safety, occupancy, records, repairs)
- Failure to provide required information or provision of false information
- Material change of circumstances that would have prevented licence grant
- The LHA must serve a notice of intent -- landlord has 14 days to make representations
Appealing to the First-tier Tribunal
- Appeal within 28 days of the final revocation notice -- filing suspends the revocation automatically
- Submit via the HMCTS appeals portal or post; include the notice and grounds of appeal
- Tribunal can confirm, quash, or vary the decision
- Hearings typically listed within 3--6 months; decisions issued within 4--6 weeks of hearing
- Legal representation strongly advisable for fit-and-proper or criminal conviction cases
Interim Management Orders
- An IMO transfers management to the council -- council collects rent and manages the property
- Can be imposed if the property is unlicensed with no prospect of a licence, or poses imminent health/safety risk
- IMOs last up to 12 months; a Final Management Order (FMO) can follow for up to 5 years
- Council deducts management costs before accounting to the landlord
- IMOs can themselves be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal