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F A C T S H E E T

Definition of a "House of Multiple Occupation" (HMO)

Will I have to get a licence for my property?

To find out whether your property will have to be licensed requires a two step process:

Step One: Compare your property to the criteria in the new definition of an HMO in the Housing Act to establish whether your property is an HMO.

Step Two: Not all HMOs will have to be licensed. Once you have established that your property is an HMO under the new legislation you then need to think whether your property has 3 or more floors AND 5 or more tenants. If so you will have to apply for a licence. If not, it will not have to be licensed under the national plans but local authorities will have the right to introduce local HMO licensing for certain types of properties if they feel there is a need.

This factsheet gives more details about exactly how the proposals will operate.