Houses in multiple occupation

Introduction

As from 6th April 2006 there is a requirement for landlords of certain types of houses, known as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to obtain a licence in order to continue to let them. This requirement is contained in Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004.

Mandatory HMO licensing will continue to operate within the London Borough of Harrow. HMOs covered by mandatory licensing are those properties that are three storeys or more and which are occupied by two or more households and the total number of persons occupying the property is five or more. A loft conversion for example, is counted as a storey height.

As from 1st November 2010, Harrow Council will also be licensing HMO properties under a new Additional Licensing Scheme to licence 2 or more storey HMOs occupied by four or more unrelated people.

All licensable and non-licensable HMOs may be subject to fire precaution measure if the inspecting officer deems it necessary, as assessed under Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Operating Guidance pursuant to Section 9 of the Housing Act 2004.

If you are unsure whether your HMO needs a licence please contact us. We can advise you, send you an information pack and application form if necessary.

The term "household" means either a single person or members of the same family who are living together. This includes people who are married or living together as married (including those in same-sex relationships). "Family" means specific relatives i.e. parents, grand parents, children (and step-children), grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins. Foster children are also treated as part of their parents' household.

In summary, a building is a HMO if:

it is occupied by more than one household and where more than one household shares or lacks an amenity, such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities, or
it is occupied by more than one household and is a converted building but not entirely self-contained flats (whether or not some amenities are shared or lacking), or
it is converted self-contained flats, but does not meet the requirements of 1991 Building Regulation, and at least one third of the flats are privately rented, or
a HMO declaration has been made by the Local Authority under Section 255 of the Housing Act 2004.