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 before 1 October 2018. 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