Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's)

In this section

  1. What is a HMO?
  2. HMO Enforcement
  3. Mandatory Licensing
  4. HMO Standards
  5. Non Licensed HMO's
  6. Applying for a HMO Licence
  7. Report an Unlicensed HMO
  8. Planning Rules for HMO's
  9. Fees and charges
  10. FAQ's - houses in multiple occupation
  11. Fire Safety for HMO's

HMO Standards

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 Housing Act 2004 covers the following:

  • Bathrooms
  • WC's
  • Kitchens
  • Fire Safety
  • Heating

Our HMO Standards

The council has adopted its own minimum HMO Amenity Standards. They outline and ensure that each HMO provides a good standard of accomodation and facilities. Click here to view the amenity standards.

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.