Proper construction of, and approach to, the statutory defence of ‘reasonable excuse’ contained in section 72(5) of the Housing Act 2004 (‘the 2004 Act’). The defence is available to a defendant in proceedings brought under section 72(1) of the 2004 Act which creates the offence of having control of or managing a house in multiple occupation which is required to be licensed under Part 2 of the 2004 Act but is not licensed.
Lady Justice King,
Lady Justice Asplin,
And,
Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing
[2021] EWCA Civ 1871
Bailii, Judiciary
England and Wales
Housing
Updated: 25 December 2021; Ref: scu.670339