Commentary on Parts Variation and revocation of HMO licence
166.Section 138 sets out the procedure for varying a licence, which a local authority may do for its own reasons or at the request of the licence holder. If the local authority proposes the variation, it must give its reasons. The variation process does not permit the period of the licence to be shortened. The authority must consider oral representations at a hearing before deciding whether to vary the licence. The variation comes into force on a date calculated in the same way as for the start of a licence.
167.Section 139 allows a local authority to revoke a licence at any time. The three possible grounds are that the licence holder or agent is no longer a suitable person under section 130; that the accommodation is no longer suitable for use as an HMO and cannot be made suitable; or that a condition of the licence has been breached. The authority must consider oral representations at a hearing before deciding whether to revoke the licence. A revocation comes into force on the date by which the decision to revoke the licence may be appealed, or on the date when such an appeal is finally abandoned or determined other than by quashing the decision to revoke.