Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
What is a HMO?
The Housing Act (2004) clarifies the definition of HMO as a building, or part thereof, that falls within one of the following categories:
- a building or flat in which two or more households share a basic amenity, such as bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities: this is known as the ‘standard test’ or the ‘self-contained flat test’,
- a building that has been converted and does not entirely comprise of self-contained flats: this is known as the ‘converted building test’,
- a building that is declared an HMO by the local authority,
- a converted block of flats where the standard of the conversion does not meet the relevant building standards and fewer than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied: this is known as a section 257 HMO.
Cohesive
Houses are occupied on a shared basis. These are normally occupied by members of a social group, for example students or a group of young adults. The occupiers have use of a bedroom but share other facilities including a communal living space.
Non-cohesive
Houses are occupied as individual rooms, where there is some exclusive occupation. Usually, there are bedrooms or living rooms and some sharing of amenities such as a bathroom or toilet and kitchen. Each occupant lives otherwise independently of all others.
Mandatory licensing
A property must meet all the criteria in order to require a license. A property with an existing mandatory licence cannot be transferred to a new owner.
Planning permission
If you use a building as a house in multiple occupation you may need planning permission.
Find out about applying for planning permission or building regulations approval.
Application process
Apply for a licence
Have you read the terms and conditions of applying for a HMO license?
Public register
Related documents
Rooms for residential purposes including HMO definition (PDF, 912KB)
Contact details
Home Improvement Team, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, DN31 1HU.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01472 326296
Opening times: Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4:30 pm, except bank holidays