An application for a student style HMO house licence in the Botanic area of Belfast has been refused due to overprovision in the area.
Elected members at Belfast City Council’s Licensing Committee refused an application for a new licence by Enda Hughes to operate a House of Multiple Occupation at Eblana Street, between Cromwell Road and University Street, next to the Holyland.
The application was steeped in complexity after it emerged a previous successful application for a HMO licence was revoked when the council found out the former applicant was not the legal owner of the property. This meant Mr Hughes, who purchased the house recently, had bought a house believing it was a HMO when it was in fact not, according to the council.
