Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

Houses in Multiple Occupation or HMOs are properties where more than one household live.  Under Housing Act 2004, if you let your property as one of the following it is a HMO:

•  An entire house or flat which is let to 3 or more tenants in 2 or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
• A house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other non-self contained accommodation and which is let to 3 or more tenants in 2 or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
•  A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self-contained and which is occupied by 3 or more tenants in 2 or more households.
•  A building which is converted entirely into self-contained flats if the conversion did not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies.

HMO Licensing

Licensing of certain HMO is now mandatory.  If your property meets the following description it will require a HMO licence:

•  The property comprises 3 or more storeys, including 2 storey properties with a basement or attic used or capable of being used in conjunction with the occupation of the property and it is occupied by 5 or more people in 2 or more households, living in the dwelling as their main or only residence and who share facilities, e.g. kitchen, bathroom, etc.
• To qualify for a licence the property must be suitable for the number of occupants, it must have adequate facilities and fire safety precautions, management arrangements must be satisfactory and the manager must be a fit and proper person.
•  An HMO license costs £500 for up to five units of accommodation (bedrooms) and £25 for each additional unit (fee cheques should be made payable to South Oxfordshire District Council). 

NB: A fine of up to £20,000 can be imposed if a property which is deemed to be a licensable HMO premises is used as such without a licence.

A HMO licence is valid for 5 years from the operational date of the licence.

HMO Licensing Amnesty

As of November 2012 the council will commence renewal of existing HMO licences.  If your property meets the above description, but you have not yet submitted a licence application the council will accept an application from you now and will not seek to prosecute provided your licence application is received before 1^st November 2012.

Non licensable HMO

 Currently, the council does not operate any additional or discretionary licensing scheme for other HMOs.  HMOs which are not licensable, and pose a lower risk, will be inspected when residents or landlords request an inspection, or when the council has reason to believe that an inspection is necessary.

If you own or live in an HMO that does not require a license it still needs to meet certain standards, e.g. it must not be overcrowded, and it must have adequate facilities and fire safety precautions.  The council can provide advice on how to make sure your property is safe and that it meets current requirements for HMO (see contact details on the right hand side).

Fire Risk Assessment

The responsible person for a HMO (licensable or not) has a duty to carry out a fire risk assessment to determine the nature and extent of the general fire precautions that may be reasonably required to ensure the premises are safe from the risk of fire. A leaflet offering advice from Oxfordshire Fire Service can be found on the right hand side.

For further information concerning HMO and to obtain a HMO licence application please contact the Environmental Protection Team using the details on the right hand side.