What makes a hmo

UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Business and self-employed Licences and licence applications. Licence House in multiple occupation licence. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply: it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities at least 1 tenant pays rent or their employer pays it for them Even if your property is smaller and rented to fewer people, you may still need a licence depending on the area.

You must renew your licence before it runs out. Related content House in multiple occupation licence Scotland Private renting Register a house in multiple occupation Northern Ireland.

Brexit Check what you need to do. Explore the topic Licences and licence applications. Is this page useful? This test applies to the most common type of HMO. It applies to shared houses shared by more than one household such as students and purpose-built bedsit accommodation. It may also apply to a hostel if the accommodation does not entirely comprise of self-contained units.

The criteria to meet the self-contained flat test are the same as the standard test, except that they apply to an individual flat that is in multiple occupation. A unit of accommodation is self contained if it is a separate set of premises, and all three basic amenities are available for the exclusive use of its occupants.

If a building comprises both self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation and there is some sharing of facilities, then the standard test applies. The converted building test is met where: [5].

The local authority can make a declaration that a house is in multiple occupation where it is satisfied that the premises meets one of the three tests above and the occupation of the living accommodation by more than one household constitutes a 'significant use', [6] rather than 'sole use', of the property. The declaration could be used where a hotel taking short-term guests is also providing accommodation for homeless people. The local authority must serve a notice that the building has been declared an HMO on each relevant person any person with an interest in the building, or who manages or has control of the building, but not a tenant within seven days of making the decision.

The notice comes into force after 28 days, which is the period for appeal to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber.

The local authority may revoke the declaration at any time on its own initiative or on application by a relevant person, where the building no longer meets any of the HMO tests. If the local authority refuses an application to revoke an HMO declaration, this decision can be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal Property Chamber within 28 days. Section of the Housing Act applies to whole converted properties rather than individual dwellings and describes a HMO as a building: [10].

The appropriate building standards are those required by the Building Regulations or whichever were in force at the time of the conversion. Owner-occupiers are those with a lease of more than 21 years or who own the freehold in the converted block of flats, or a member of the household of the person who is the owner. A building is considered an HMO if it is occupied by more than one household. The Housing Act defines a single household as: [11]. To be an HMO the accommodation has to be used by persons as their only or main residence.

It is usually apparent if this is the case, but secondary legislation specifies certain situations where the nature of occupation is less clear cut. These include: [12]. A hostel or night shelter providing accommodation to homeless people may be an HMO because, even if the accommodation is overnight, it is the occupants' only residence.

Rent or consideration must be paid for the HMO definition to apply. Check what you need to do. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Housing and local services Owning and renting a property. Private renting. Houses in multiple occupation Your home is a house in multiple occupation HMO if both of the following apply: at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants Your home is a large HMO if both of the following apply: at least 5 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities 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 Standards, obligations and how to complain If you live in a large HMO , your landlord must meet certain standards and obligations.

Reclaim rent All large HMOs need a licence from the local council.