Mandatory licensing of HMOs only applies to certain categories of HMO, which are detailed in The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Descriptions) (England) Order 2006, and include HMOs which satisfy the following conditions:
The HMO or any part of it comprises three storeys or more
It is occupied by five or more persons
It is occupied by persons living in two or more single households
The following storeys shall be taken into account:
Any basement, attic and mezzanine level if used or constructed wholly or partly as living accommodation
Where the living accommodation is situated in part of a building above business premises, each storey comprising the business premises
Where the living accommodation is situated in part of a building below business premises, each storey comprising the business premises
Any other storey that is used wholly or partly as living accommodation, or in connection with and as an integral part of the HMO
If you own or manage an HMO which falls under mandatory licensing, you must complete and return an HMO licensing application form.
Please note that buildings which have been converted into entirely self contained flats are exempt from mandatory HMO licensing.
Transitional licensing
Local authorities like such as Hounslow which operated a registration scheme for HMOs until April 2006 are able to licence any HMO which should have been registered under transitional licensing arrangements, in addition to the HMOs that fall within the mandatory licensing scheme.
HMOs in Central Hounslow, Chiswick and Turnham Green that are occupied by 5 or more people living as 3 or more households, regardless of storey height need to be licensed with the council under these transitional arrangements.
Applying
Before completing an application form, please read the application notes. Applications will not be accepted unless all relevant sections of the form have been completed in full. The intended licence holder will be invoiced for the licence fee whilst the application is being processed. Return your completed application to us at the address below.
Contact us
If you are in any doubt whether your property will need to be licensed please contact us and we will advise you:
HMO licensing
Private Sector Housing Unit
London Borough of Hounslow
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 3870
Fax: 020 8583 3990
E-mail: hmo@hounslow.gov.uk