If your landlord does not have an HMO licence but should, they:

• might not be able to evict you

• could be ordered to repay your rent

• might be banned from renting out properties

Your council could take over managing the property.

Eviction when the HMO is not licensed

Your landlord cannot evict you with a section 21 notice if:

• the HMO should be licensed but is not

• your landlord does not have a temporary exemption from licensing

What is a temporary exemption?

Your council might say that a property does not need a licence for a short time.

They might do this to:

• give the landlord time to meet HMO licensing standards

• change the property from an HMO to a family home

Your landlord could give you a section 21 notice if they have a temporary exemption.

Rent repayment orders

Your landlord could be fined and forced to repay up to 12 months' rent.

Apply for a rent repayment order using this form. There might be a fee.

Any housing benefit or universal credit used to pay your rent is taken back by the council or the DWP.

Help to get a rent repayment order

Contact your council or use the guidance that comes with the form if you need help.

You could also get help from:

• Justice for Tenants

• Flat Justice

Banning orders

Councils can ban landlords from renting out properties.

For example, if they are convicted for

• running an unlicensed HMO

• illegally evicting or harassing tenants

• using or threatening violence to get into the property