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Section 69: Variation of licences

Housing Act 2004 · 2004 c. 34View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 2: Licensing of houses in multiple occupation

Subsection (3) applies where the authority—

are considering whether to vary a licence under subsection (1)(b); and
are considering—
what number of households or persons is appropriate as the maximum number authorised to occupy the HMO to which the licence relates, or
the standards applicable to occupation by a particular number of households or persons.

If the standards—

prescribed under section 65, and
applicable at the time when the licence was granted,

have subsequently been revised or superseded by provisions of regulations under that section, the authority may apply the new standards.

A variation made with the agreement of the licence holder takes effect at the time when it is made.

Otherwise, a variation does not come into force until such time, if any, as is the operative time for the purposes of this subsection under paragraph 35 of Schedule 5 (time when period for appealing expires without an appeal being made or when decision to vary is confirmed on appeal).

The power to vary a licence under this section is exercisable by the authority either—

on an application made by the licence holder or a relevant person, or
on the authority's own initiative.

In subsection (7) "relevant person" means any person (other than the licence holder)—

who has an estate or interest in the HMO concerned (but is not a tenant under a lease with an unexpired term of 3 years or less), or
who is a person managing or having control of the house (and does not fall within paragraph (a)), or
on whom any restriction or obligation is imposed by the licence in accordance with section 67(5).

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.