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.
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.
From 1 September 2022, 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.
