Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)

 

 

• Application form guidance
• HMO Online Licence Application
• HMO Licence Fees (PDF, 461KB)​​​​​​​
• HMO frequently asked questions
• HMO Standards
• Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) leaflet
• HMO privacy statement
• HMO Licensing Register

What is a HMO?

A property is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if both of the following apply:

• at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than one household
• Toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared with other tenants

A property is a large HMO if both of the following apply:

• at least five tenants live there, forming more than one household
• Toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared 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, for example grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings
• step-parents and step-children

If you are a tenant in shared accommodation, you may live in an HMO. These properties can be an entire house, flat or converted building or any of the following:

• Bedsits
• Shared houses
• Households with a lodger
• Purpose-built HMOs
• Hostels
• Guesthouses - if rented out of season
• Bed and breakfasts providing accommodation for homeless people
• Some types of self-contained flats converted from houses

Licensing

You may require planning permission for a new HMO. More details can be found here (under the drop down box 'House in Muliple Occupation and To Let Signs')

Last updated: 23 April 2025