Landlord licence only allows one tenant?

Landlord licence only allows one tenant?

0:03 AM, 17th October 2024, About 2 months ago 13

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I recently found out the landlord’s licence restricts one tenant to one of my flats, while my other similar flats in the same building allow for two.

This is after I signed up a 12-month fixed tenancy with a couple!

I received the landlord licences for all the properties in the same block.  However, for the smallest flat (not by much) the licence says it only allows one person in one household, while all others say two people in one household.

I never assumed there was any difference between them, but after finding out I had already signed up a fixed 12-month tenancy with a couple. Would the council hold me as breaching the licence?

What shall I do? I can’t back out of the tenancy now for at least 12 months. Shall I ask or tell the council?

Many thanks

Mike


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Simon F

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12:29 PM, 18th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DPT at 18/10/2024 - 11:12
Agree 100%.
Challenge through a request to Vary the Licence. If that is refused appeal to FTT.

Godfrey Jones

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13:25 PM, 18th October 2024, About 2 months ago

I find it incredulous that we have allowed ourselves to get to position where we are having to discuss that a well meaning Landlord could be facing a £30k fine and the possibility of Court action over something so trivial. There is no mention that the Tenants are unhappy. It just seems the world as far as Landlords is concerned, has gone mad!!
First I would explore minimum room sizing and measure accurately. See if you could use the lounge as a bedroom. If you are within the legislation then you should contact the Licence Dept and take it from there.

If the above fails - What would I do? Own up!! My rationale: Nip it in the bud and be honest. If you keep quiet this year and ask the Tenants to leave at the end of their 12 month Tenancy and "get away with it" as some suggest on here
1, What if the Tenants decide they don't want to leave? You could find yourself in a whole world of pain.
2, No more Sec 21 to rely on.
3, What if your Tenants or someone else discovers that you knew?
4, In the future you would only ever be able to let this Apartment to one person.
5, Who's to say this won't come back to haunt you years down the line? - Maybe it gets noticed by other Tenants that you're only ever letting that particular Apartment to singles now but you previously let to a couple?
Maybe I'm over cautious but with this present war on Landlords and LA's seeing us only as cash cows, I just would NOT take the risk.
Good luck whatever you decide. Please keep us all updated.

Judith Wordsworth

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9:41 AM, 19th October 2024, About 2 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Robert Sled at 17/10/2024 - 20:51
Ignorance of legislation or regulation is no defence, and if Local Authority took the Landlord to court the judge would likely impose the maximum fine.

It’s up to a landlord to be 100% aware of ALL legislation and regulations.

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