What is an HMO?
An HMO is a house or flat that is occupied as a main residence, by more than one household, where occupiers share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and WCs. This would include, for example, houses containing bedsits, a combination of bedsits and self contained flats where the bedsits share facilities, and also shared houses and hostels.
In addition, houses entirely converted into self contained flats NOT in strict compliance with the Building Regulations 1991 with at least one third occupied as flats on short tenancies is classed as an HMO.
Which types of HMO need a licence?
Nationally, HMOs comprising of 3 or more storeys, occupied by 5 or more people in 2 or more households must obtain a licence, this is a mandatory requirement of the Government.
If you are unsure of the status of your property, please contact the Private Sector section on the contact details given below.
Are any properties exempt?
Certain types of property are exempt from the need to licence and these are:
- Local Authority owned properties, whether freehold or leasehold
- Properties owned or managed by public bodies, such as a Registered Social Landlord, Health Service body or Police Authority, and properties regulated by other legislation, e.g. care homes, children's homes, bail houses
Should you require further information please contact the Private Sector Housing Renewal Team on this page.