What is a HMO?

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.

Please see our guide for further details and guidance.