HMO stands for houses in multiple occupation, which is defined under sections 254 & 257 of the Housing Act 2004. An HMO can be a building or part of a building if it is:
Occupied by persons who form more than one household, and where those persons share (or lack) one or more basic amenities, such as a WC, personal washing and cooking facilities
A converted building containing one or more units of accommodation that do not consist entirely of self-contained flats. (There is no requirement that the occupiers share facilities)
A converted building consisting entirely of self-contained flats, where the building work undertaken in connection with the conversion did not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one third of the flats are occupied under short tenancies.
The HMO must be occupied by more than one household:
As their only or main residence
As a refuge by persons escaping domestic refuge
During term time by students
For some other purpose that is described in regulations
In all cases:
Occupation of the living accommodation must be the only use of that accommodation
Rents are payable or other considerations are provided
Under the Housing Act 2004, a household comprises:
A single person
Co-habiting couples (whether or not of the opposite sex)
A family (including foster children and children being cared for) and current domestic employees.
Exemptions from HMO definitions
Certain types of buildings will not be HMOs for the purpose of Part 2 of the Act. They are:
Buildings, or parts of buildings, occupied by no more than two households, each of which comprise a single person only (for example, two person house or flat shares)
Buildings occupied by a resident landlord with up to two tenants
Buildings managed or owned by a public sector body, such as the police, local authority, registered social landlords, fire and rescue authority and the NHS
Buildings occupied by religious communities
Student halls of residence where the education establishment has signed up to an Approved Code of Practice
Buildings occupied entirely by freeholders or long leaseholders
Contact us
If you are in any doubt as to whether your property is a HMO, please contact us:
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