What is a HMO?

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a residential property occupied by three or more persons forming two or more households who share basic amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, as defined by the Housing Act 2004 (Section 254 -257).

A household may be:

• a single person
• a cohabiting couple
• several members of the same family, all related by blood or marriage

For example, a house occupied by a brother, sister, and one other unrelated occupant forms two households. Three unrelated persons would form three households. The number of tenancy agreements is not relevant in determining whether a house is an HMO.

If you're a resident landlord, or a family living in the property, you can take in up to two lodgers without the house becoming an HMO. Three or more lodgers means the property will need an HMO licence.