Houses in Multiple Occupation
In certain circumstances these HMOs may also
require a licence from the Local Authority.
A House in Multiple Occupation is defined
as:
- an entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants
who form two or more households and who share a kitchen,
bathroom or toilet (A ‘household’ is defined below).
- a house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other
non-self-contained accommodation and which is let to three or more
tenants who form two or more households and who share kitchen,
bathroom or toilet facilities
- a converted house which contains one or more flats which are
not wholly self contained (ie the flat does not contain within it a
kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by three or
more tenants who form two or more households
- a building which is converted entirely into self-contained
flats if the conversion did not meet the standards of the 1991
Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let
on short-term tenancies
In order to be an HMO the property must be
used as the tenants' only or main residence and it should be used
solely or mainly to house tenants. Properties let to students and
migrant workers will be treated as their only or main residence and
the same will apply to properties which are used as domestic
refuges.
Please speak to Environmental Health about the requirements for
general HMOs.
The Council has a proactive inspection program
of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). If conditions in the
properties inspected are not up to standard, the landlord or owner
is required to improve them.
See also Licensable HMOs and Management of HMOs .
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