Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 December 2010. It was answered by Grant Shapps (Conservative) on Monday, 20 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Multiple Occupation: Licensing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many houses in multiple occupation were licensed under (a) mandatory, (b) selective and (c) additional licensing in each local authority area in each year since the introduction of licensing.

Answer: [holding answer 16 December 2010]: The collection of data centrally by DCLG on the register of licensed houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) has been suspended and its continued collection is subject to an internal review of all DCLG statistical data collections as part of the new Government's goal of reducing the burdens of data reporting requirements on local government. On 17 December 2010 DCLG published a first draft of the single local government data list and will engage the sector to identify areas where burdens could be reduced further. Definitive numbers of licensed HMOs are available from the registers held by local authorities.

Secondary information