Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) - licence

The legislation for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) has changed. From 1 April 2018, if you rent out a property to five or more tenants in two or more households, you must apply for an HMO licence. The new legislation has removed the requirement for a property to have three or more storeys in order to need a licence.

We use the following criteria when considering your application for a HMO licence:

• you and any manager of the property must be a fit and proper person
• you must be the most appropriate person to hold the licence
• the property must have proper management standards
• the HMO must be suitable, or be made suitable, for the number of tenants occupying it, including the number, type and quality of shared bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities

Download the additional information pack

The legislation for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) has changed. From 1 April 2018, if you rent out a property to five or more tenants in two or more households, you must apply for an HMO licence. The new legislation has removed the requirement for a property to have three or more storeys in order to need a licence.

Apply for a house in multiple occupation licence

Download the additional information pack

Tell us about a change to your existing house in multiple occupation licence

Tacit consent

Tacit consent does not apply to this licence. You must not rent out a HMO until we have given you a licence.

The legislation for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) has changed. From 1 April 2018, if you rent out a property to five or more tenants in two or more households, you must apply for an HMO licence. The new legislation has removed the requirement for a property to have three or more storeys in order to need a licence.

The following fees* (all VAT exempt) apply to licence applications received before occupation of the HMO:

• £1,362 (for one to six occupants)
• £1,556 (for seven to 11 occupants)
• £1,694 (for 12+ occupants)

*the fee comprises a non-refundable charge covering the administration of your application and, should your application be successful, a charge for the regulation of your licence (housing inspections, etc). Should your application be unsuccessful, we shall refund the regulation portion of the fee.

We apply a £500 surcharge to licence applications from landlords found to be running an unlicensed HMO.

Renewal 

HMO licences remain valid for a maximum period of five years.

We charge £1,177 for the renewal of an HMO licence.

If you're unhappy with the way we have decided your application you should contact us in the first instance.

In certain circumstances you can appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal. We'll tell you about this process when we send you our decision about your licence application.

You must appeal within 28 days of the decision being made.

View the public register of licensed HMOs in the borough of Rugby

The full register is available for inspection by arrangement, in accordance with the Housing Act 2004.