Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

What's a house in multiple occupation (HMO)?

The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018 defines the following types of property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO):

a house or flat let to three or more tenants who form two or more households while sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet - if you rent out a property to five or more tenants who form two or more households, you must apply for a HMO licence

a building converted entirely into self-contained flats if the conversion fails to meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies

Do I need a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence?

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) occupied by five or more tenants who form two or more households must be licensed by the council.

View the Government's Licensing of HMOs in England - A Guide for Landlords and Managers

The landlord has responsibility for submitting a licence application to the council.

Apply for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) licence

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Regulations

The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Regulations apply to all HMOs, whether the HMO requires a licence or not.

The regulations impose certain duties on managers and occupiers of HMOs.

View the Government's Licensing of HMOs in England - A Guide for Landlords and Managers

Council inspections of houses in multiple occupations (HMOs)

When carrying out inspections of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), the council's housing enforcement team use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess conditions within the property.

View the Government's guide to HHSRS