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Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

If you rent out a property for house in multiple occupancy (HMO), you may require a licence from your local authority.

An House in Multiple Occupation is a building that is occupied, as a main residence, by more than one household. HMOs include:

  • Buildings that consist of bedsit rooms where at least some facilities are shared
  • Buildings converted into self-contained flats that don’t comply with the Building Regulations 1991 and where less than two thirds of the flats are owner-occupied
  • Buildings with multiple units of accommodation that all have their own exclusive facilities but which are not self-contained
  • Buildings which contain a mixture of the above types of accommodation
  • Hostels
  • Shared houses

The definition of household relates to any members of a family, including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents etc and partners living together.

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Eligibility criteria

  • Applications must be made to the local housing authority.
  • A fee maybe charged.
  • You must be a fit and proper person to hold the licence.

The Housing Act 2004 requires Local authorities to licence prescribed HMOs.

An HMO only requires a licence if:

  • It comprises of 3 or more storeys, and
  • It is occupied by 5 or more persons, living in 2 or more households.

The Act makes it an offence to have control of or manage an HMO which requires a licence but is not licensed. It is also an offence if a licence holder fails to comply with the conditions of a licence.

The legislation covering licensing can be found in Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004, and in associated orders and regulations.

You can find information sheets in the attached files section below.

Non Licensable HMOs

HMOs which do not require a license are assessed under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

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Application Evaluation Process

Licences will be granted if:

  • the house is or can be made suitable for multiple occupation
  • the applicant is a fit and proper person and the most appropriate person to hold the licence
  • the proposed manager has control of the house, and is a fit and proper person to be the manager the management arrangements are satisfactory
  • The HMO team will carry out Inspections of all hostels and B& B accommodation
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Will Tacit Consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us.

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How to apply

You can apply for a HMO Licence or Change or Renew the Licence on the Business Link website in the external links section.

Online payment Terms and Conditions

The following credit or debit cards are accepted in Haringey:

Different types of cards accepted

Maestro - Mastercard Debit - Mastercard Credit - Visa Credit - Visa Debit (formerly Delta) and Visa Electron

Terms and conditions

  1. We cannot accept liability if payment is refused or declined by the card supplier.
  2. If the card supplier declines payment, the Council is under no obligation to bring this fact to the customer's attention.
  3. Customers should check with their card supplier to ensure that payment has been deducted from their relevant account.
  4. Due to end of day processing, this service will not be available between 10pm and 11pm every weekday evening (Mon- Fri).
  5. Users should note that any payments in process after the 10pm deadline need to be completed by 10.05pm.

Guidance notes

All supporting information can be found on the Licensing Guidance and Annexes page.

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HMO Licensing Register

Under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004, a local housing authority (LHA) has a duty to establish and maintain a register of licences granted under Parts 2 and 3 of the Act. This register should be made available for public inspection and can therefore be viewed in the attached files section below.

If you have any queries in relation to a property which has been licensed or which you feel should be licensed please contact the HMO Team on 020 8489 5521 or by emailing environmentalhealth.andhousinggroup@haringey.gov.uk

It is a licence condition that the licence holder displays a copy of the licence in a prominent position in the property. This register will be updated periodically.

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Failed Application Redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

You may appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal.

Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

You may appeal to a residential property tribunal regarding conditions attached to a licence or any decision to vary or revoke a licence.

Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made.

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Contact us

You can use our online form to report a problem with an HMO.

Housing Improvement (Private Sector)
Community Housing Services
1st Floor
Apex House
820 Seven Sisters Road
London
N15 5PQ

Tel 020 8489 1000
Fax 020 8489 5113
Email environmentalhealth.andhousinggroup@haringey.gov.uk

You can visit in person during office hours: Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5pm

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Attached Files

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

Page Last Updated: 14 February 2013

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