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Housing: Licensing

Asked by Nadia WhittomeLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 78808

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent property owners providing false information when applying for Temporary Exemption Notices.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

A Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) may be served by a local authority where a person having control of or managing a licensable property (under HMO or selective licensing) notifies the local authority of their intention to take steps so that the property no longer requires a licence.

It is for local authorities to determine if, on the basis of the information provided, they are satisfied that the applicant is taking genuine steps to ensure that the property no longer requires a licence before granting the notice.

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