or House in Multiple Occupancy.  HMO can also be referred to as a ‘house share’.

An HMO is any property with the following combination(s) of tenants;

  • 3 or more tenants
  • with shared facilities like a bathroom or kitchen
  • Or more than 1 household

What is the definition of household;

  • A single person, or several members of the same family who live together.
  • Each tenant from a separate family is classed as a separate household.

What is the definition of ‘family’?

  • Married couples who live together
  • Two persons living together
  • Including couples in same-sex relationships
  • Relatives or half relatives count as the same ‘family’. This could also include; grandparents, stepparents, aunts, uncles, siblings & step-siblings.

Relevant Act, Regulations, guides and useful links for HMO

Housing Act 1985

Housing Act 1988

Housing Act 1996

Deregulation Act 2015

Housing and Planning Act 2016

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

Houses in Multiple Occupation and residential property licensing reform – December 2018

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

HMO Minimum Room Size Regulation

HMO Gas Safety Regulations

HMO Fire Safety Regulations

HMO Furniture and Furnishings Regulation

HMO Electrical Equipment Regulation

Tenancy Deposit Protection

Legionnaires Disease Safety

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to rent’ Immigration regulation

How to Rent’ Guide

Tenant Fees Act 2019

Fire Safety (England) Regulation 2022

Please note legislation that impacts HMO’s may change, you should seek legal advice before taking any action including legal action.

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