The Housing Act of 2004 included the requirement for landlords to get HMO licences. They originated as a means of protecting individuals who lived in shared residences, which were frequently overcrowded and had inadequate fire safety precautions in place before their introduction.
Since the year 2006, landlords of residences with more than one occupant have been required to obtain licences. Certain licences are required by law.
The local Councils have the authority to dispense supplementary licensing programmes for rental properties that do not fit under the mandatory category of those required to be licensed.
Click on this link to read the rest of this article.