London Property Licensing

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• Referral from May 3, 2015
  

  Richard D. asked:

  Hi all - quick question. I am looking at buying a mandatory licensible (albeit currently unlicensed...) HMO in Southwark, but want to make 100% sure that the property is suitable for a license in more or less its present condition. For my only other licensed HMO (in a different borough) the council was ok to pop over and inspect and give guidance, but Southwark does not do this and say I should employ a building surveyor or private environmental health inspector to give me comfort before going ahead with my purchase. Is this normal? And does anyone have any recommendations of surveyors that do this? They don't seem super common from googling.

  

  Richard T. replied:

  Hi Richard Davies. At the moment, it will only need a licence if three or more storeys and five or more people, not all related. You should look at Southwark Council's standards for licensed HMOs. If you are unsure where to find them, visit www.londonpropertylicensing.co.uk/southwark where you will find them listed. Fire precautions will be dependent on a risk assessment, with standards usually applied according to the LACORS fire safety guidance, which is also available on our website. Its important you get this right as the day you take on ownership, you risk prosecution by the council if a licence application is not submitted straight away. If you need further advice, I might be able to help.

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