Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

Cancel a HMO licence

You should ask us to cancel your licence if it is no longer needed, for example if:

  • the property has been sold
  • the property is no longer rented out as a large HMO
  • the licence holder has died.

This is known as a cancellation by agreement.

How to cancel your HMO licence 

Only the licence holder or property manager can request a licence cancellation.

To cancel a licence, you'll need:

  • the licence reference number
  • the reason for cancelling the licence
  • evidence to support the cancellation, such as a tenancy agreement showing the property is rented to a single household.

Cancel a HMO licence

After you request a licence cancellation

We'll review your request within 14 days.

If we agree that the licence should be cancelled, we'll send a notice to the licence holder and any interested parties explaining:

  • why the licence is being cancelled
  • what the cancellation means.

Comments and objections can be submitted within 14 days of the notice date. We'll consider them before making a final decision.

If we cancel the licence, we'll send the licence holder and any interested parties:

  • a notice confirming the cancellation
  • a copy of our decision and the reasons for it.

We'll also remove the licence from the Public HMO register. 

If we revoke a licence

We may revoke a HMO licence without a request from the licence holder if:

  • the licence holder or property manager seriously or repeatedly breaks licence conditions
  • the licence holder or property manager is no longer considered fit and proper to manage a HMO
  • the property no longer meets the standards needed for a HMO licence.

If we propose to revoke a licence, we'll write to the licence holder and any interested parties to explain why we are considering revoking the licence and what this means.

Comments and objections can be submitted within 14 days. We'll consider these before making a final decision.

If we decide to revoke the licence, we'll send the licence holder and any interested parties:

  • a notice confirming the revocation
  • a copy of our decision and our reasons for it.

The licence holder, property managers and interested parties can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Information about how to appeal will be included in our decision letter.