Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the issue of landlords acquiring bed and breakfast accommodation to circumvent the houses in multiple occupation licensing legislation has been drawn to the attention of ministers; and, if so, whether ministers will act to amend the applicable rules.

The Government is not aware of cases where a landlord has acquired bed and breakfast accommodation in order to circumvent legislation on the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). If the Lord Campbell-Savours has specific evidence of this, we would be pleased to consider it.

Mandatory licensing applies to properties occupied by 5 or more people, forming two or more households and sharing facilities. It is recognised as having improved safety and property conditions in HMOs.