HMO register

RFI-2025-1027
Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Request

I’m writing to request a copy of the current HMO register for the Newark and Sherwood District Council area. Ideally, I’d like the register to include:
1. The full address of each licensed HMO
2. The name of the licence holder
3. The contact address for the landlord or managing agent (if available)

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as I understand this information is publicly available under statutory obligations.
A scanned or photo version of the register would be absolutely fine if that's easier — I really appreciate your time and help.

Response

Please find the HMO register attached, containing most of the information you have requested. The licence holder's name and address and the name of the person managing the property have been removed as this is the personal information of a third party.
Even though as part of our obligations under section 232 of the Housing Act 2004, Register of licences and management orders, where we have to make sure the contents of the register are available at our head office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times it does not say we have to make it available in digital format on a public facing platform.
This information has been withheld under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Section 40(2) exempts disclosure if it constitutes the personal data of which the applicant is not the data subject and a further condition is satisfied. In this instance, the first condition listed in 40(3A)(a) is engaged: disclosure would contravene any of the data protection principles. In this instance we are of the opinion that if the information in question were to be provided the Council would be in contravention of principle one, fair and lawful processing. The individual has a right to privacy and we do not believe that the potential intrusion that this type of disclosure might bring would be compatible with this principle of fairness, or that there are any over riding legitimate interests in the disclosure of this information.
Where this condition applies, the exemption is absolute and does not require the public interest test to be considered.
Therefore, in respect of this information, and in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice.
Please note we have also removed a few properties currently used to house asylum seekers in our area.  Due to the civil unrest issues this is sensitive information.