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Request

Subject: HMO register

Reference: LBR-FOI-00630

Please can I be sent a copy of the full HMO Register in Richmond via excel if possible, if not PDF. If neither are possible by post is okay.

Please can the register include the following:

  • The address of the licensed HMO or house.

  • The number of rooms in the licensed HMO providing sleeping accommodation. E.g.

  • The maximum number of persons or households permitted to occupy the licensed HMO under the conditions of the licence;

  • The name of the licence holder;

  • The full address of the license holder

Response

None Disclosed - 1 February 2023

Under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, we are not obliged to provide the information you have requested as it is reasonably accessible by other means.

The information you have requested under FOI is available on request under the Housing Act 2004 section 232, which states that every local housing authority must maintain a register of licences for houses in multiple occupation (HMO). The register must contain prescribed particulars (which, by virtue of SIs 2006 No.373 and 2007 No.1903, include the name and address of the licence holder), it must be made available for inspection and a copy of the register (or an extract) must be supplied, subject to payment of a fee, on request.

Therefore, the information you have requested is exempt from disclosure under FOI, due to our obligations under section 232 of the Housing Act 2004. ICO guidance is that the council should treat all requesters equally, and the council should only disclose information under FOI if the council would disclose it to anyone else who asked, therefore release of information under FOI should be considered as if it were being released to someone who requested a copy of the HMO Register and paid the required fee.

The council would therefore advise that you email privatehousing@merton.gov.uk to arrange a viewing of the register or to request certified copies of the register as per your right to do so under the Housing Act 2004. The required fee for a copy of the register is £50, although there is no charge made to see the register, providing no attempt is made to copy it.

In accordance with section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the council has a duty to provide advice and assistance to you, as far as it is reasonable to do so. Therefore I would advise you that the HMO register with the premises address, date of issue and date of expiry but with the personal data such as the licensee's name not included is available on the council's website at www.richmond.gov.uk/hmo

The response acts as a refusal notice.

Please note that our responses were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of release, and have not subsequently been updated. This information should be considered an historical record only.