(1)Where it appears to the local authority, having regard to the existence of exceptional circumstances, to be expedient so to do, they may, on the application of the occupier or intending occupier of a dwelling-house in their district, grant him a licence authorising him to permit such number of persons in excess of the permitted number as may be specified in the licence to sleep in the house.
(2)A licence granted under this section shall be in the prescribed form and may be granted either unconditionally or subject to any conditions specified therein.
(3)A licence granted under this section shall, unless previously revoked, continue in force for such period (not exceeding twelve months) as may be specified therein, but may be revoked by the local authority at their discretion by means of a notice in writing served upon the occupier and specifying a period (not being less than one month from the date of the service of the notice) at the expiration of which the licence is to cease to be in force.
(4)A copy of any licence granted under this section, and of any notice served thereunder, shall be served by the local authority on the landlord, if any, of the dwelling-house to which it relates within seven days after the issue of the licence or the service of the notice on the occupier, as the case may be.
(5)The occupier of a dwelling-house shall not be guilty of an offence under section seventy-eight of this Act by reason of anything done by him under the authority of, and in accordance with any conditions specified in, a licence in force under this section.
(6)A local authority may take into consideration a seasonal increase of population in their district as an exceptional circumstance to which regard is to be had for the purposes of this section.