Landlords struggling with “needlessly complex” HMO licence renewal applications are fed up and selling up, according to Portsmouth & District Landlords Association (PDPLA).

It explains that Portsmouth Council won’t automatically transfer data from old licences to new, unless a request is made in writing, which is potentially in breach of its legal obligations.

This is also not communicated in the renewal reminder email, says the landlord group.

It claims that the authority’s new system doesn’t differentiate between a new licence application and a renewal, with landlords expected to complete the form in its entirety, meaning that landlords have copious pages to fill in, using a clunky system.

Renewal applications

Portsmouth Council limits the duration of licences to two and a half years, rather than the standard five, where a renewal application is submitted less than 14 days prior to expiry but it will not accept the simplest form of renewal application where there are no material changes, as offered by other local authorities, and as required by law.

This increases the chances of errors, and the risk is that landlords might only be issued a one- or two-year licence meaning they will pay a higher price and will have to pay again a year later.

Martin Silman, PDPLA chairman, said: “This is unfairness systematically baked into the scheme.”

“Sadly we have been forced to compile and issue guidelines to help landlords navigate a licence renewal scheme that is approaching Byzantine proportions in its needless complexity.”

Vice chairman and letting agent Alwin Oliver is representing three landlords who are selling HMOs due to the local regulatory challenges.

He explained: “Landlords in Portsmouth are fed up and selling up. Portsmouth is fast becoming an unaffordable university town and a no-go area for those most in need.”

A council spokesperson tells LandlordZONE that the PDPLA is talking about two different processes. “From December 2023, a new scheme was introduced for mandatory licences. Licences are now issued for varying lengths (one to five years) based on a landlord’s compliance and history. If your licence is expiring for the first time under the new system, you’ll need to complete a new application, as extra questions are required under the updated criteria. Some information from your previous licence is still available, and we can help pre-fill parts of the application for you.

“The second process is licence renewal, once you have joined the new scheme. If you’ve already been issued a licence under the new scheme, renewal is very simple. You’ll get a copy of your details to check and confirm any changes. Some of our landlords have one-year licenses, so have already renewed in this way, and this will be the process for anyone renewing once a licence has been issued through the new scheme.”

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