In April 2006 licensing for Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) became mandatory. The intention is for the licensing to raise the standard of accommodation for people living in HMOs, which are a particular type of PRS accommodation (see further down the page for a definition of HMO).
Coupled with the new Housing Health and Safety Rating System, HMO licensing is intended to identify properties that are overcrowded, are in a poor physical condition or those that lack basic amenities.
Communities and Local Government website provides
comprehensive information about HMO licensing, including information for both tenants and landlords.
What is a Home in Multiple Occupation?
Under the changes in the Housing Act 2004, if you let a property which is one of the following types it is a House in Multiple Occupation:
- 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. (For a definition of household see the relevant question under faqs.)
- 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 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 3 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.
Quoted directly from the Communities and Local Government website HMO licensing section
More information
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/rentingandletting/privaterenting/housesmultiple/whatis/