The Housing Act 2004 introduces the licensing of certain houses in multiple occupation. It is compulsory (required by law) that there is a licence for properties that:

• are three or more storeys high, and
• have five or more people in more than one household, and
• share amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities

Does my property require a licence?

To find out more see the  Department for Communities and Local Government - Landlords: Do you need a property licence? website 

Applying for a licence

Complete and return the form to the right to apply for a licence for a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Fees

See the" HMO licence fee structure" document to the right of this page for details of fees and discounts.

What happens to my application?

The flow diagram to the right explains the procedure set down by central government that we must follow.

Implications for all HMOs

The Housing Act 2004 has implications for all houses in multiple occupation regardless of whether they require a licence.

The duties of managers of HMOs and the corresponding duties of occupants are set out in the Management Regulations 2006. You can view these regulations to the right. Please note that current regulations only apply to shared houses and bedsits but not self-contained flats. Regulations for self-contained flats will be produced by the government shortly and will be posted on this page.

In addition, all HMOs are subject to the Housing Health & Safety Rating System.