Electric certificate required with HMO application?

huddy_2

I am just about to start up another HMO although this one is going to be a licensable one. The 5th person moves in in a fortnight. I have submit an application for the licence but the council have written to me and asked for the electrical certificate as part of the licence application pack and if it isn't sent in, they may refuse my licence. Surely this cant be correct.

I live about 20 minutes away from the property, but in another council district.

I rang the council where I live and was told that an application can not legally require an electric certificate it can only be requested as part of a licence condition, therefore the licence would have to have been issued, or it could be requested under a management regulation.

Again I see that two different councils are saying two different things, can anybody enlighten me as to who is correct here?

I am going to get certificate done my by friend who is NAPIT registered and qualified to carry out testing, so there isn't an issue with that. Its just so annoying when two councils disagree with what the other is saying, here I am a landlord doing the best I can in and getting conflicting information.

Surely they should be reading the same legislation!

TJ27

This is the legislation which says that you must provide an electrical safety certificate. Section 6.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20060372.htm

A licence can definitely be issued without one. However, as above, if the council ask for one then you are obliged to provide it. In fact, if you are asked to provide one you must do so even if the HMO is not licensable.

huddy_2

Thanks TJ, I have just read the link , which was very useful. I have also found a link to the Housing Act 2004 which I just looking at and it seems as though the council that wrote to me are incorrect. :T

poppysarah

Perhaps they impose additional restrictions and rules.
Some areas have very tight rules on landlord eg: lightbowne in Moston.