Mandatory HMO licence
It is a legal requirement that a landlord must have a licence for a privately rented HMO if the property being rented out:
- is occupied by 5 people or more
- those people form 2 or more households
- tenants share some amenities like kitchen, bathroom or laundry.
Smaller HMO's (those occupied by 3 or 4 persons in 2 or more households) do not require a licence.
An HMO licence will be granted by us and is different from planning permission and building control approval which may also be required.
Properties required to be licensed must meet our HMO standards.
View HMO standards guidance.