An important facet of HMO Licensing is that the landlord and/or manager must be a 'Fit & Proper Person'.  Swindon Borough Council may carry out checks on any proposed Licence holder or manager of an HMO to verify this.  We may take into account:

• Any previous convictions relating to violence, sexual offences, drugs and fraud.
• Whether the proposed Licence holder or manager has previously broken any housing related laws, or laws relating to landlord and tenant issues.
• Whether the person has previously managed HMOs that have broken any approved code of practice.

It is advisable for the landlord or manager to be a member of a professionally recognised body, or an approved landlords association that is affiliated to the National Federation of Residential Landlords.