Licence holder

The licence holder is usually the person, people, or company who has practical control of the property. 

They collect rent, arrange repairs, and manage it. The owner or manager of the property can be the licence holder.

The licence holder will need to show that they are a ‘fit and proper’ person. 

This will involve making a declaration on criminal offences. In deciding if an applicant is ‘fit and proper’, we must know if they have:

• committed any offence involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence, drugs and certain sexual offences
• unlawfully discriminated on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or disability in connection with any business
• broken any part of the law relating to housing or landlord and tenant law

The licence holder must also show that satisfactory management and financial arrangements are in place for each rented property.

If you do not meet the fit and proper person test a licence application may be refused.

Changing the licence holder

Licences cannot be transferred. The licensee must hold the licence for its whole term. If you need to change the licence holder before the licence expires, the new licence holder must apply and pay the full fee for a new licence. There are no refunds for the old licence.

Applications submitted on behalf of the proposed licence holder need a ‘second declaration’ form completed. We will send an email and a link to the form to the proposed licence holder once the application has been submitted. The licence can be refused if this form is not completed.

Non-UK based licence holders

An application for a property licence with a non-UK based licence holder may only be considered if there is a managing agent based in the UK. The managing agent must agree to follow the conditions and obligations on the licence and sign a declaration to confirm this.

The council can decide whether to accept a non-UK based licence holder. Applications from limited companies will only be accepted if they have a registered office in the UK.

Find out more in our housing enforcement policy (PDF, 494kb).