Houses in Multiple Occupation - Licensing
About Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
The Council is responsible for checking Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to make sure they:
- are in a satisfactory condition
- are safe
- have a satisfactory means of escape from fire
- have sufficient baths/showers, toilets, wash basins and cooking facilities etc.,
- have adequate space for the number of occupants
- are managed properly.
On 6 April 2006 the Housing Act 2004 came into force in relation to HMOs. Under the new legislation there is a requirement for certain "higher risk" HMOs to be licensed by the local authority. These are properties of 3 or more storeys with 5 or more occupiers. This allows us to require certain standards and conditions on the person responsible for the HMO and anyone else associated with it.
In addition the person responsible for the management of an HMO has to meet the requirements of the HMO Management Regulations.
Page owner: Paula Mackenzie. Last updated: 14/03/2011 17:00