Homes in multiple occupancy

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) states that any rented property which is occupied by three or more unrelated people, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, must have a licence.  This applies whether or not the landlord lives at the property. The Council is responsible for the processing of all licence applications including Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Application to licence a house in multiple occupation

Fee

Fee of £540 (from 1 April 2019) will be charged (up to 10 persons) with a further fee of £50 for every additional five persons.

Eligibility Criteria

Your applications must be in writing (including by electronic means) in the form specified by the Licensing Authority and accompanied by any requested fee.  You must be a fit and proper person to hold the licence and the premises must be suitable for the purpose.

Regulation Summary

Licences will be granted if:

  • the house is or can be made suitable for multiple occupation
  • the applicant is a fit and proper person and the most appropriate person to hold the licence
  • the proposed manager has control of the house, and is a fit and proper person to be the manager
  • the management arrangements are satisfactory

Application Evaluation Process

Public notice of the application may be given in a local newspaper and objections may be considered. The Council may make such reasonable inquiries as they think fit and include the results of these inquiries in matters they take into account, but where they intend to include any of these results they must notify you.

You may be given the opportunity to make representations.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period (260 days).

Apply for the licence

There are two ways of applying:

Application Redress

Failed Application Redress

If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:

  • erred in law
  • used incorrect material fact when making their decision
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner.

Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.

Licence Holder Redress

If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:

  • erred in law
  • used incorrect material fact when making their decision
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner.

Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.

Consumer Complaint

If you wish to appeal against a decision to grant a licence and you are a valid objector, you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:

  • erred in law
  • used incorrect material fact when making their decision
  • acted contrary to natural justice
  • didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner.

Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.

Certificate of Compliance

Licence summary

Prior to full approval of your application, you must post notice of your intent at your premises for 21 consecutive days. A Site Notice can be obtained from Customer Services.

Will tacit consent apply?

No

Fee

No fee is payable.

Apply for a Certificate of Compliance

There are two ways of applying:

Application to temporarily licence a house in multiple occupancy

Licence summary

If a house has been under multiple occupancy for some time before the landlord became aware of the need for licensing, the Council may be willing to make arrangements to avoid tenancies being terminated while your application is being considered.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period (120 days).

Fee

The fee is £50 (from 1 April 2017)

Apply to temporarily licence a house in multiple occupancy

Application to change a licence for a house in multiple occupation

 Licence summary

If you rent a house to multiple occupants in East Dunbartonshire and you wish to change the circumstances as stated on your current licence you will need to reapply to the local authority for a new licence.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period (240 days).

Fee

For information on fees, please contact Neighbourhood Services.

Apply to change a licence for a house in multiple occupation

There are two ways of applying:

Application to renew a licence for a house in multiple occupancy

Licence summary

If you are already licensed by the authority and wish to renew your licence, please complete this form.

Will Tacit Consent Apply? 

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period (240 days).

Fee

A fee of £540.00 (3 years) will be charged (up to 10 persons) with a further fee of £50 for every additional 5 persons.

Apply to renew a licence for a house in multiple occupancy