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You are here: home > Housing >  Housing advice

What is an HMO?

The Housing Act 2004 defines a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as a building or part of a building which:

• is occupied by more than one household and in which more than one household shares an amenity such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facility, or,
• is occupied by more than one household and which is a converted building which does not entirely comprise self contained flats, or,
• comprises entirely of converted self contained flats and the standard of conversion does not meet at a minimum that required by the 1991 Building Regulations and at least one third of the flats are occupied under short tenancies

Why does the Council inspect HMOs?

There is a much higher risk of fire in HMOs than houses with only one family living in them.  HMOs are also more likely to be in poor repair and not very well managed. Because of this tenants living in HMOs are more at risk than other groups in rented housing.

The Council carries out inspections of Houses in Multiple Occupation to make sure that they are safe, fit to live in and meet the legal standards.

Mandatory licensing

The Housing Act 2004  requires that HMOs with three or more storeys and five or more occupants must be licenced. This is called a mandatory licence. Habitable basements and attics will count as storeys.

To qualify for a license the property must be reasonably suitable for the number of occupants, have adequate facilities and fire precautions, management arrangements must be satisfactory and the manager must be a fit and proper person.

Fee levels for licences

Landlords will have to pay a license fee.

• £300 for upto five units of accommodation
• £25 for each additional unit over five.

If you are the owner of or live in an HMO which will be required to be licensed, please contact the officer below.

HMOs that do not need to be licensed

If you are the owner of or live in a HMO which is not required to be licensed, the Council would still like to hear from you so that we can give you advice and information on how to make the property as safe as possible.

For more information

Further Information on HMOs can be obtained by contacting Howard Jacobs, Private Sector Housing Officer on 01491 823332 or on howard.jacobs@southoxon.gov.uk