A terrifying letter was waiting for us at home this week, on our return from our first summer break in two years.
Addressed to Thomas and Lucinda Utley, it came from our local council and threatened us with a penalty of tens of thousands of pounds if we failed to comply with an enclosed Requisition for Information within 14 days. Dear Sir/Madam, it began, the London Borough of Lambeth have information that the property above is being used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and is required to be licensed. Failure to license is an offence and enforcement action can result in either a civil penalty of up to £30,000 or prosecution (unlimited fine).