Do You Live In A Property That Should Be Licensed?

Houses in Multiple Occupation

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a building where the people who live there, do not live together as a single household. These properties are occupied by households of individuals who live independently of each other. The most common types of HMOs are:

bedsits
shared housing (this could be rooms within a property let to different people such as students
hostels
bed and breakfast establishments
some guest houses and hotels
lodgings
registered care homes
boarding houses
properties which have been converted into self contained flats

The following HMOs are legally required to be licensed:

HMOs consisting of three or more storeys with
five or more persons living as two or more single households and sharing some amenities

If the property you are in should be licensed and is not, your landlord may be convicted of operating a HMO without a license. In that case a Residential Property Tribunal also has the power to make a Rent Repayment Order requiring the landlord to repay up to 12 months' rent to tenants or to the Council.

If you think you may live in or own a HMO and you would like further advice, please contact the Private Sector Housing Division.