Temporary exemption notice

A temporary exemption notice can be applied for where the property will cease to be a licensable property within three months.

Some examples of where a temporary exemption notice may be appropriate:

• The tenants have been given notice to leave and the owner will move back in. The tenants must leave within the three-month notice period.

• The tenants have been given notice to leave and the property will be sold. The tenants must leave within the three-month notice period.

If you wish to apply for a temporary exemption notice, you must include evidence of the steps you will take so the house ceases to be licensable, for example we would expect to see a copy of the section 21 notice or section 8 notice issued to the tenants. 

There is no fee for a temporary exemption.

If a temporary exemption notice is refused, the applicant can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

For advice on how to apply for a temporary exemption notice, please contact the private sector housing team.

Death of property owner / licence holder

There is an automatic three-month temporary exemption where the licence holder passes away during the licence period, with the three months beginning on the date of death.

At the end of the three months, a second exemption may be granted. However, at the end of the six months an application for a licence must be made regardless of any estate / probate ongoing matters.