HMO Additional Licensing Scheme
On 17 August 2022 and following 2 rounds of 10 week consultations, the council has designated an area in York comprising of 8 electoral ward boundaries, where HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) with 3 or 4 tenants who form more than one household will be subject to an Additional Licensing Scheme.
HMOs that meet certain criteria in these wards will require Additional Licensing from 1 April 2023.
More information including details on the application process will be made available in the coming weeks.
For more information about how the council made this decision, view the report submitted to the council's Executive on 28 July. Minutes and agenda for the meeting are also available.
Copies of the designation and public notice of the scheme can also be viewed online.
We've provided detailed HMO guidance notes to help with your application and answer key questions about HMO licensing.
Apply for your HMO licence online
In addition, please note that an application is not valid without the correct HMO licensing fee and the following supporting documents:
- gas safety certificate
- electrical safety certificate
- energy performance certificate
- written fire risk assessment
- portable appliance test certificate (for appliances supplied with the property)
- plan of the property showing the number of rooms, room sizes, windows and doors
You should also meet the amenity standards detailed in our HMO guidance notes.
You will be asked for your first payment when your application has been validated to ensure that we have all the necessary documents. You will then have the option to log on to your HMO licensing account and pay by debit or credit card, or by bank transfer (BACS).
Assistance with your HMO licence application
Our Healthy and Sustainable Homes team are available to help with your application.
Our team can:
- assist with your application
- assist with basic procedural and technical enquires (for example, how a decision is made or how to object and comment)
Our team cannot:
- confirm that the application will be successful - this can only be confirmed when the application has been validated and all the necessary checks completed
- advise whether the property has the relevant planning permission - you will need to contact the Planning Team
Operating without a HMO licence
It's a criminal offence to operate a HMO without a licence when required. We'll consider the following in relation to unlicensed HMOs:
- formal caution
- penalty charge (up to £30,000)
- prosecution (if found guilty you could get a criminal record, unlimited fine, and be ordered to pay court costs and victim surcharge)
- Rent Repayment Order (you may have to repay up to 12 months rental income)
- other actions in accordance with our HMO Enforcement Policy
Whilst the property is unlicensed, you can’t use a Notice of Seeking Possession under Section 21 Housing Act 1988 to evict your tenants. As such, it is far better to comply at the earliest opportunity to ensure you achieve compliance.
For further information or advice regarding HMO licensing, contact the Healthy and Sustainable Homes team or complete our online enquiry form.
You can also view the HMO Licensing Policy.