FI16075

Request

  1. The number of applications made for HMOs for the years 2018 - 2025 and the number of HMOs registered in your local authority area for the years 2018 - 2025 (number as of 1st January of each year). 
  2. The number of sanctions issued by your local authority for the years 2018 - 2025 for unlicensed HMOs, broken down by sanction type (banning order, fine, repayment order etc) 
  3. The number of complaints made about HMOs in your area for the years 2018 - 2025 and the number of these complaints which resulted in enforcement action being taken. 
  4. The number of HMO licenses revoked for the years 2018 - 2025.

Response

  1. I can confirm that the Council holds information falling within the description specified in your request, however it is not readily available as the Council changed software supplier in January 2024 and access to the historic data is limited and unreliable.  From our preliminary assessment, we have estimated that the cost of complying with this part of your request would exceed the ‘appropriate limit’.   The appropriate limit has been specified in regulations and for Local Government it is set at £450. This represents the estimated cost of one person spending 2½ working days in determining whether the information is held, locating, retrieving and extracting the data. I regret therefore, that on this occasion I must refuse this part of request in accordance with Section 12(1) of the Freedom of Information Act.  Details of current Homes in Multiple Occupation can be on our website at https://www.dover.gov.uk/Housing/Private-Sector-Housing/Houses-in-Multiple-Occupation/Licensed-Houses-in-Multiple-Occupation.aspx.
  2. Zero.
  3. 22 for the period 2018 to 2025 – a breakdown is not available due to the change in software system in January 2024.  Two Improvement Notices were issued and complied with.
  4. Zero.