Private letting of accommodation held to be a service in EU law (Gaskin v LB Richmond)

Table of contents

• What are the practical implications of this case?
• What was the background?
• What did the court decide?
• Case details

Article summary

Local Government Analysis: In a challenge of the fee levied by the defendant local authority for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence, the Administrative Court decided that the Claimant, Mr Peter Gaskin, was providing a service within the meaning of EU Directive 2006/123/EC by the private letting of accommodation. Accordingly the HMO fee charged by the defendant had to be structured in a way which complied with EU law. Alexander Campbell of Field Court Chambers, who acted on behalf of the claimant provides analysis of the decision.