HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation.

This is a home where three or more people who aren’t one household (for example, not family or a couple) live together and share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom.

There are three main types of licensing in England:

1. Mandatory licensing: This is required when a property is lived in by 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities. This is a legal requirement everywhere in England.
2. Additional licensing: Most councils now require properties with 3 or more sharers to be licensed as well.
3. Selective licensing: Some councils require licences for most or all rented homes in certain areas, even if they’re rented by 1 person and are not HMOs.

Because each council can set its own additional or selective schemes, rules can vary across London boroughs.

Licensing is there to make sure homes are:

• Safe (for example, fire safety measures and repairs)
• Not overcrowded
• Properly managed
• Equipped with enough kitchens, bathrooms and space for residents

Councils also check that landlords are “fit and proper” to manage the property.

Licences also set the maximum number of people allowed to live there - so if 6 people move into a property licensed for 5, that’s a problem.

Start with your local council website. You can find your council here:

👉 https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Many councils publish HMO licensing registers online. If you can’t find your property listed, you can contact the council to check.

If a landlord rents out a property that should be licensed but isn’t, they may face enforcement action - and tenants may be able to claim back up to 12 months’ rent through a Rent Repayment Order.

If your home is licensed, it usually means:

• The property meets required safety and space standards
• The landlord has been checked by the council
• There are rules about how many people can live there

If something isn’t being maintained or repaired properly, you can contact your council housing team for advice.