Property · HMO
HMO barristers, instructed directly.
Houses in multiple occupation are heavily regulated. A barrister can advise on licensing and management duties and defend enforcement action.
At a glance
Licensing
Whether a property needs an HMO licence and on what terms.
Civil penalties
Defending financial penalties and prosecutions.
Rent repayment orders
Defending or pursuing rent repayment orders.
A house in multiple occupation, or HMO, is rented to several unrelated tenants who share facilities, and it carries extra licensing and management obligations. A barrister can advise landlords and agents on whether a property needs a licence, on the management regulations, and on defending enforcement, civil penalties and rent repayment orders.
A barrister will assess the council's case, the available defences, and the realistic outcome, and can represent you at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Through Direct Access you can instruct a barrister directly, without going through a solicitor first.
Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
Through Direct Access you can instruct a housing in multiple occupation barrister directly, without going through a solicitor first. Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
When to bring in a barrister
The council says your property needs an HMO licence
You have been served with a civil penalty or improvement notice
A tenant has applied for a rent repayment order
Andrew Locke
Andrew Locke is a barrister at Nexus Chambers with a mixed practice across landlord and tenant, commercial, regulatory and licensing, and criminal...
Dirk van Heck
Dirk van Heck is a barrister specialising in privacy, data protection and commercial litigation, authorised to conduct litigation since 2014. He has...
Forz Khan
Forz Khan is an immigration barrister with over 30 years' experience across the full range of visa, appeal, deportation and asylum matters. Called in...
Jeff Hardman
Jeff Hardman is a seasoned trial advocate and litigator. He has been a barrister for more than 10 years and is recommended by the legal directories as...
Julian Gun Cuninghame
Why choose me? I will always fight your corner in court and outside court. I have expertise in landlord and tenant cases acting both for landlords and...
Marc Brittain
Marc Brittain has a longstanding practice in advising and representing clients in court in property disputes, notably in 'mortgage' issues, especially...
Matondo Mukulu
Matondo is frequently instructed to advise on matters in the County Courts and the High Court and thus in representing you, you will can be assured...
Michael Trevelyan
Are you in arrears with your mortgage or rent? Are you a landlord who needs to evict a bad tenant? Are you worried about a Charging Order being placed...
Muhammad Imtiaz
My professional experience lies in Commercial Chancery, Company, Construction, Civil Fraud, Deformation, International and offshore, Landlord and...
Paul Dipré
Family law, Children Paul represents clients at all stages of private law children disputes. He regularly represents parents and guardians in...
Timothy Becker
This includes all areas of corporate and individual insolvency related litigation both in UK and some cross boarder. Personal : Statutory demand...
Tom Bragge
Tom mainly advises and represents residential landlords in relation to: - Possession claims - Interpretation and construal of leases - Actions...
Frequently asked questions
Can a barrister defend an HMO penalty directly?
Yes. Through Direct Access a barrister can advise you and represent you at the First-tier Tribunal, without going through a solicitor first.
Is an HMO licence really required?
It depends on the number of occupiers, the layout and local rules, including additional and selective licensing. A barrister can advise on your specific property.
What does it cost?
Barristers often agree a fixed fee for advice or a tribunal hearing. There is no charge to enquire.
Related areas of law
Speak to a housing in multiple occupation barrister
Tell us about your matter. There is no charge to enquire.