This page explains which houses may be classed as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and shows how you find out if an HMO needs a licence from the local authority.
What is an HMO?
The Housing Act 2004 defines the following as an HMO -
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An entire house or flat which is let to 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
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A house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other non-self contained accommodation and which is let to 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households and who share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.
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A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self contained (that is the flat does not contain within it a kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by 3 or more tenants who form 2 or more households.
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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.
Click here for more information about HMOs|
Click here for a landlords/managers guide to HMOs|
Click here for a tenants guide to HMOs|
HMO Licensing
The law says an HMO must be licensed if it is a building with 3 or more storeys and is occupied by 5 or more tenants in 2 or more households.
We may license smaller HMOs if we think enough of them are being managed poorly.
At the moment in Oadby and Wigston, we have no plans to license smaller HMOs.
Click here for more information about HMO Licensing|
Safety Inspection
Click here if you would like a safety inspection of the HMO that you live in, own or manage.