Homes in Multiple Occupation - Licensing
Larger HMOs, such as bedsits and shared houses, often have poorer physical and management standards than other privately rented properties. There is a significant risk of dying or being injured in a fire in such properties. The fatality rate in HMO’s of three or more storeys is around four times higher than that for one or two storey HMO’s. The people who live in HMOs are amongst the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society. As HMOs are the only housing option for many people, the government recognises that it is vital that they are properly regulated.
Licensing is intended to make sure that:
- landlords of HMOs are fit and proper people, or employ managers who are
- each HMO is suitable for occupation by the number of people allowed under the licence
- the standard of management of the HMO is adequate
- high risk HMOs can be identified and targeted for improvement
- information on the following can be found in the PDF on the right side of this page.
Types of Licence:
- Exemptions
- Licence Criteria
- Licence Conditions
- Licence Inspection
- Applying for a HMO Licence
- Temporary Exemption Notice
- Penalties
- Licenced HMO Register
Temporary exemption from licensing
If the landlord or person in control of the property intends to stop operating as a HMO or reduce the numbers of occupants and can give evidence of this , then they can apply for a Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) .
This lasts for a maximum of three months and indicates that some measure is to be taken to enable it to be removed from the licensing scheme. A second TEN can be applied for.
Room sizes
A child is considered as a separate person/occupant in terms of these standards.The minimum room sizes that should be provided, as below are also subject to each room being a shape offering adequate useable living space.
Acceptable minimum room sizes
|
Shared houses
|
Number of persons (up to)
|
Size
|
|
Bedrooms (when a separate lounge is provided)
|
2
|
10m²
|
|
Bedrooms (when a separate lounge is not provided)
|
2
|
15m²
|
|
Bedrooms (when a separate lounge is provided)
|
1
|
6.5m²
|
|
Bedrooms (when a separate lounge is provided)
|
2
|
11m²
|
|
Living rooms / dining rooms
|
1-3
|
8.5m²
|
|
Living rooms / dining rooms
|
4-6
|
11m²
|
|
Kitchens
|
1-3
|
5m²
|
|
Kitchens
|
4
|
6m²
|
|
Kitchens
|
5
|
7m²
|
|
Kitchens
|
6
|
9m²
|
|
Dining kitchen
|
1-3
|
10m²
|
|
Kitchen (when there is no separate lounge)
|
4-6
|
11.5m²
|