HMO licencing I would say is yet another bit of government buracracy, acting as a drag on the economy time to kick these guys out! The article reflects my experience in my local market where I have a number of HMO's fortunately the local autority have taken a reasonable approach. One thing I haven't done is put wash hand basins in every room being one of the many requirements I have been given 5 years ie until the end of my current licence by which time hopefully through contacting my MP and supporting my landlord association we will have got the law changed. We all need to stick together and have our voice heard on matters which do not serve much purpose.