Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

An HMO is a property rented out by at least 3 unrelated people who share the bathroom or toilet and kitchen. It can also be known as a house share. It includes:

• flats and bedsits that share bathroom or toilet and kitchen facilities
• hostels
• halls of residence
• staff accommodation

HMO licences

As the owner of an HMO, you are responsible for applying for or renewing an HMO licence.

This also applies if the property is leased or managed by someone else or there are no rent agreements or payments.

You can be fined up to £50,000 for letting an unlicensed HMO.

Landlords living at the property are not counted when calculating the number of people living at the property.

Properties that are exempt from an HMO licence

Some properties do not need an HMO licence, including:

• communally owned properties
• properties occupied by a religious order
• care commission registered accommodation

Public register of HMO licences

We maintain a list of properties that have been granted a licence and properties that have an application outstanding.

View the public register of HMO licences

You can find out the:

• licence holder's name and address
• name and address of the person managing the property
• address of the licensed property
• start date and length of the licence