Free tool
Do I need an HMO licence?
Six short questions about who lives in your property and how it is let. We will tell you which of the three licence types applies, and what to do next.
Question 1 of 520%
Where is the property?
HMO licensing rules differ across the UK nations.
Common questions
- How many tenants before I need an HMO licence?
- A mandatory HMO licence is required at five or more occupiers forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Below five, a property can still need a licence where the council runs an additional HMO licensing designation, which commonly starts at three occupiers.
- What counts as a household?
- A household is one person, or members of the same family living together, including couples. Unrelated sharers are separate households even when they sign a single joint tenancy, which is why five sharers on one agreement still count as five households.
- Is a family of six an HMO?
- No. However many people are in it, one household is not a house in multiple occupation. A selective licence can still apply if the property sits in a designated selective licensing area.
For the full detail on thresholds, fees, penalties and how councils differ, read our HMO licence guide.