Part 5: Housing, Estate Agents and Rentcharges: Other Changes Housing regulation in England Section 125: Licences for HMO and other rented accommodation: additional tests
This section amends the fitness test applied to persons who apply for licences to let residential accommodation in a house in multiple occupation under Part 2, and in premises subject to selective licensing under Part 3, of the Housing Act 2004. It adds additional criteria to the tests under each Part, namely that applicants should be entitled to remain in the UK and should not be insolvent or bankrupt. The section also clarifies that past failure to comply with duties concerning the immigration status of prospective tenants may be taken into account, and that regulations specifying information to accompany applications may require supporting evidence. The aim of the provisions is to further identify potential rogue landlords and property agents and prevent licences being granted to them.