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Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber, England and Wales) sets aside RRO for unlicensed HMO: failure to prove third occupier’s ‘only or main residence’ (Mitterhuber v Hernandez)

Published on: 16 July 2025

Published by a LexisNexis Property Disputes expert
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Mitterhuber v Hernandez and another [2025] UKUT 194 (LC) What are the practical implications of this case?

This decision confirms a practical, evidence‑based approach to deciding whether an occupier treats a property as their sole or principal home, and recognises that this point may not be addressed head‑on, particularly where the occupier is neither the applicant nor a witness. While there will be occasions when the FTT must draw inferences, the appeal shows that there was sufficient material to satisfy the requirements of section 254(2) of the Housing Act 2004, with particular weight on subsection (c):

  • the premises comprise one or more units of living accommodation that are not a self‑contained flat or flats
  • the living accommodation is used by persons who do not constitute a single household (see HA 2004, s 258)
  • the living accommodation is occupied by those persons as their only or main residence, or they are to be treated as so occupying it (see HA 2004, s 259)

Accordingly, those bringing RRO applications should take particular care to assemble the strongest possible evidence so as to satisfy the relevant test...

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