Houses in Multiple Occupation Rules and Regulations

HMO's include bedsits and bed and breakfast accommodation, they can also be certain types of self-contained flats and other types of shared accommodation. A full definition can be found in the Housing Act 2004. To view this please go to the useful website section of this page.

Due to the shared nature of HMO accommodation there are a number of important legal provisions that apply to this type of accommodation. Some examples of these provisions are fire precautions and overcrowding standards.  

The Council has a responsibility to ensure that HMO accommodation of whatever type meets minimum standards. The Council fulfils it's responsibility for HMOs by undertaking a programmed inspection of known HMOs. We also respond to complaints from occupying tenants/licensees of HMO accommodation where there are problems with the property.

The Council will enforce the standard through communication with managing agents and landlords. We will serve legal notices requiring work to be untaken where appropriate.
 
The Housing Act 2004 introduced a mandatory licensing system for certain kinds of larger HMO premises which became operative on 6th July 2006. It is a criminal offence to run 3 storey or larger HMOs without an appropriate licence from the Council. See the attachments on HMO licensing below which give further details.

As part of that system, a public register is kept of licensed HMOs and the associated licensing conditions. This and other information can be seen in the Related Downloads section.