HMO Selective Licensing Porridge!

I work for a company who owns many properties, we have staff living in them on SOA.

I have converted all of them into fully compliant HMO’s. Even the 2/3/4 bed properties, just to future proof them for the CEO and so I can sleep at night.

I am now in the process of ‘trying’ to get all the 5 bed plus properties licensed in readiness for October 1st.

Anyone else feel like they are walking through porridge? I am having to deal with 5 different council areas. Application forms are over 90 pages long and require so much information, it is making is impossible to complete.

I have had 2 inspections done at Surrey Council, so have been using them to answer questions, but they don’t seem to know all the answers, what hope do I have?

I class myself as the ‘manager’ on the forms, but it wants my passport photo, details and background to prove I am fit and proper. Not sure I want to give it all now. They suggested someone who has daily contact with the property, no one does. We do monthly inspections and have a business near each property where they work who can help in emergencies.

So my other dilemma is if I can show I am actively trying to get these completed, but still to date, 2 councils are not ‘ready’ for the process yet (25 days and counting) are the company still liable to fines?

Who do I put as the ‘manager’?

Many thanks

Zoe