Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's)

In this section

  1. What is a HMO?
  2. Mandatory Licensing
  3. HMO Standards
  4. Fire Safety for HMO's
  5. Fees and charges
  6. Applying for a HMO Licence
  7. Planning Rules for HMO's
  8. HMO Enforcement
  9. HMO Register
  10. Report an Unlicensed HMO
  11. Reporting a disrepair in HMO
  12. Varying a HMO license
  13. Buying and selling a HMO
  14. Revoking a HMO licence
  15. FAQ's - houses in multiple occupation

Buying and selling a HMO

You must notify us if you sell a licensed HMO, even if the licence holder remains the same after the sale.

HMO licences are not transferable, therefore if a property with a HMO Licence has been sold, or a licence holder has changed or if it is no longer an HMO, the licence must be revoked.

When a licensed HMO has been sold, the licence holder should inform the Private Sector Housing team, they wish to surrender their license. Otherwise, they will still be legally responsible for complying with the licence conditions.

If a new licence application is not received from the new owners or landlord after the old licence has been revoked and it is still operating as an HMO then you could be at risk of serious consequences as detailed below:

  • Being deemed not fit and proper and refused a licence.
  • Prosecution and an unlimited fine
  • Financial penalty notices of up to £30,000
  • Rent repayment orders where you must repay the tenants their rent
  • Interim management orders where the council takes over the HMO

If the licence holder changes for any reason, then a new licence application must be made e.g new owner or new agent.

Ceasing use as a HMO

If you intend to stop using the property as a HMO you must inform the Private Sector Housing Team, and your details will be removed from the HMO register and your licence revoked.

To surrender a licence, advise that you have sold a property email: HMOadvice@stoke.gov.uk