Definition and requirements for houses in multiple occupation
What a house in multiple occupation is
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a house where:
- three or more tenants live
- the tenants form two or more households (they are not related), and
- tenants share a toilet, bathroom or kitchen
Examples include:
- shared houses, occupied by three or more people
- a house let as individual bedrooms
- a group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants
- hostels, some hotels, guesthouses
- lodgings, and shared houses
- some houses converted into self-contained flats
The Government Statutory Instrument describes the types of properties that require a licence under the mandatory Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006.
The difference from single households
A single household is a group of people who are members of the same family, either living together as a couple or close relatives.
Standards
We are responsible for checking houses in multiple occupation to make sure they meet our management and property standards.
Planning permission
From 1 October 2025, you'll need to get planning permission to develop an HMO in the borough.
Find out more about the new HMO requirements and associated documents.
Find out more about the planning application process and how much it costs.
Licensing
If you own or manage a HMO that is occupied by five or more people from more than one household, you will need to apply for a mandatory HMO licence.
If you own or manage an HMO occupied by 3 or 4 unrelated people in Palfrey, Pleck, Paddock or St Matthews you must also apply for an HMO licence.
There are additional standards you'll need to meet if your HMO requires a licence. Find out more about HMO licensing and apply for a licence.
