If a landlord or person in control of a property intends to stop operating it as an HMO or reduces the number of occupants and can give clear evidence of this, then he or she can apply for a Temporary Exemption Notice.

This lasts for a maximum of three months and ensures that a property in the process of being converted from an HMO does not need to be licensed.

If the situation is not resolved, then a second Temporary Exemption Notice can be issued.

When this runs out the property must be licensed, become subject to an Interim Management Order, or cease to be an HMO.