Structure and Summary of the Act Part 2 - Houses in Multiple Occupation Section 15 – Statement of reasons for decisions
25.Under the HMO licensing regime a local authority must provide a statement of reasons for an HMO decision. Local authorities have raised concerns that this may cause significant costs, and be unnecessary in many cases. For example, where a licence is granted without any concerns having been raised or identified, an applicant may neither need nor wish reasons. Section 15 therefore amends Part 5 of the 2006 Act at section 158(12)(a) so that a statement of reasons need only be provided when this is requested by any person who receives the decision. The Act outlines the time periods for local authorities to issue the statement of reasons and for the person to request that they be provided. Where such a request is made, reasons must be provided.