How will landlord licensing work for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)?

Not all HMOs require a licence. If you're unsure whether your property needs a licence:

1. You can submit a short pre-application questionnaire to us.
2. We'll aim to respond within 28 working days confirming whether you need to apply for a licence or not.

Find out if your property needs a HMO licence

HMOs that don't require a licence include:

• HMOs that are entirely occupied by freeholders or long leaseholders.
• Building or flats that are occupied by 2 single people (households).
• HMOs that are owned and managed by educational establishments and buildings regulated by other legislation, such as residential care homes or bail hostels.
• Buildings occupied by the leaseholder and their household, and 2 or fewer lodgers.
• Buildings converted into self-contained flats that meet, as a minimum, the standard laid down in Building Regulations 1991.
• Buildings managed by a Local Housing Authority, Registered Social Landlord, Police, Fire or Health authority.
• Buildings whose occupation is regulated by other Acts.
• Buildings that are occupied by students and managed by the educational establishment in question, on condition that the body has in place an Approved Code of Practice.
• Buildings occupied by religious communities.
• Children's homes.
• Boarding schools and colleges.
• Approved bail hostels, probation hostels, removal centres, prisons, remand centres, young offender institutions, secure training centres and accommodation centres for destitute asylum seekers.

This list is a guide only and landlords are advised to contact the Private Rented team with any queries they may have.