Q. How do I find out if the property I live in is licensed or should be licensed as an HMO
A. Under the terms of HMO licensing, there should be a copy of the license displayed in the property. If in doubt, you can check with the local council whether the property is licensed. If it is not, they will advise you as to whether or not the property is liable to be licensed and will arrange to inspect the property and take the necessary steps.
Q. What if I do not have a tenancy agreement.
A. If you do not have a tenancy agreement, you are still protected by law and it is likely that by default you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.
Q. Do I have to pay a deposit when I move in to the property.
A. It is up to the landlord whether he/she wants to charge a deposit. However, from 6 April 2007, all deposits taken by landlords for new Assured Shorthold Tenancies must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. Your landlord cannot opt out of this. If you sign a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement after 6 April 2007, you should ask your landlord about the details of the scheme.
Q. What does a tenancy deposit scheme do.
A. It protects your deposit by ensuring that the landlord cannot withhold it at the end of the tenancy. Any dispute relating to the deposit is referred to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service.
Example.
A tenant has paid £1000 as a deposit. At the end of the tenancy the landlord states that he wishes to retain £200 to pay for the replacement of damaged furniture, but the tenant disagrees, claiming the property was already in that condition when he or she moved in. If the landlord only wishes to retain £200, the remainder of the deposit (£800) has therefore been agreed to belong to the tenant and should be returned him/her. The disputed £200 will the be transferred to the scheme administrator until the dispute is settled.
HMO Management is a member of a Tenancy Deposit Scheme run by Tenancy Deposit Solutions
Ltd (TDSL). This is a partnership between the National Landlords Association and
Hamilton Fraser Insurance. This insurance-