Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

If you live in a HMO your landlord must make sure that:

• proper fire safety measures are in place, including working smoke alarms
• annual gas safety checks are carried out
• electrics are checked every 5 years
• the property is not overcrowded 
• there are enough cooking and bathroom facilities for the number living there
• communal areas and shared facilities are clean and in good repair
• there are enough rubbish bins/bags

Your landlord must get a licence from us if the HMO:

• has 5 or more unrelated people live in it
• has 2 or more separate households living there

It is an offence for an owner or manager of a HMO to fail to apply for a HMO licence when required, or allow a property to be occupied by more people than are permitted on the licence. A fine of up to £20,000 may be imposed.

Breaking licence conditions can result in a fine of up to £5,000 for each offence.

Owners and managers of HMOs also need to make sure they have planning permission (opens new window) if they:

• subdivide a house into self-contained units
• change the use of a house from a single dwelling to a HMO with 7 or more occupiers
• change the use of a house from a single dwelling into a HMO with up to 6 occupiers in Uxbridge South and Brunel wards  See a map where this applies (PDF) [1009KB](opens new window)