A house is a HMO if both of the following apply:-
- at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than 2 households
- you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
A household is either a single person or members of the same family who live together. A family includes people who are:-
- married or living together - including people in same-sex relationships
- relatives or half-relatives, e.g. grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings
- step-parents and step-children
Do I need a HMO licence?
If you are a landlord and you own a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), you may need a HMO licence. Not all HMOs need to be licensed. Under the national mandatory licensing scheme a HMO must be licensed if it has:-
- Five or more tenants in two or more households, and
- Shared facilities such as kitchen, bathroom and toilet
Is there a charge?
A fee is payable on application for a HMO licence, but you may get a reduction.
HMO Standards
If you live in a large HMO, your landlord must meet certain standards and obligations.
The Council is responsible for enforcing HMO standards and can make a landlord take action to correct any problems.
If you would like advice about a HMO please complete our enquiry form.
The Housing Act 2004 requires local housing authorities to maintain a register of all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences which have been granted and are in force.
The register has to include prescribed information (as prescribed by 2006 regulations).
View the HMO register.
Last Updated on Wednesday, January 10, 2024