Upon receiving a valid application, the council will aim to provide a decision as soon as is reasonably practicable. However, each case will require different processes to be completed before issuing a decision and will be dependent on the applicant supplying the required information and necessary payments within timescales, and that no representations are made. Where information or payments are late, or representations made, then this could extend the time it takes to process your application.
It is therefore the council’s aim to process all valid applications and provide the relevant persons with a decision within 20 weeks of receipt. This will require the full co-operation of the applicant with the council’s requirements for determining a licence application.
Tacit consent does not apply to HMO licence applications. It is in the public interest that we check that the HMO meets the prescribed standards, which may include arranging a full property inspection, before a licence can be granted.