The Housing Act 2004 introduced licensing of private rented premises. It is compulsory to license larger, higher-risk dwellings, but local authorities are also able to license other types of rented premises, including other lower-risk HMOs and individual houses and flats, if they can establish that other avenues for tackling problems in these properties have been exhausted.
It is a criminal offence to operate a house which requires a licence (whether HMO or in a selective licensing area). Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the property can be confiscated if earned whilst committing an offence.
Get to know the Housing Act 2004's guidelines for Section 257 HMOs, including standards for living accommodations, bathroom facilities, and fire precautionary measures.
The prescribed minimum standards for mandatory bedsit type accommodation are defined in Schedule 3 of the Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006. These Regulations have been amended