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

HMO Standards

HMO Amenity standards – room sizes

The legal minimum standards for HMO's are set by the Housing Act 2004. Before granting any HMO licence, the council must ensure that the standards reach the Housing Act 2004 and any associated standards.

The council has adopted its own minimum HMO Amenity Standards. They outline and ensure that each HMO provides a good standard of accommodation and facilities. 

Where standards are not met, a HMO licence will not be granted by the council. They can also be used for advice and enforcement purposes.

The standards provide detailed information for landlords on what is required of them to comply with the law and to ensure their accommodation is safe, well managed, and provides a reasonable standard of facilities and sufficient living space for the occupiers.