Slough Borough Council: Licensable homes in multiple occupation

Licensable homes in multiple occupation

HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation, which means a building, or part of a building, such as a flat, that:

is occupied by more than one household and where more than one householdshares – or lacks – an amenity, such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities
is occupied by more than one household and which is a converted building – but not entirely self-contained flats (whether or not some amenities are shared or lacking)
is converted self-contained flats, but does not meet as a minimum standard the requirements of the 1991 Building Regulation, and at least one third of the flats are occupied under short tenancies

On 6 April 2006 mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation came into force nationally.

Under the national mandatory licensing scheme an HMO must be licensed if it satisfies the following criteria:

three or more storeys high, and
have five or more people in more than one household, and
share amenities such as bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities

There are additional powers to licence other HMOs and residential accommodation under the Housing Act 2004. The council is currently investigating the possibility of introducing licensing of all HMOs over the next 5 years.

Anyone who owns or manages an HMO that must be licensed has to apply to the council for a licence.

To find out more about licenses including downloading the application form, how long licenses will last, costs and properties that are exempt download the landlords' application pack below.

For more information on mandatory HMO licensing and to identify whether you have a property that needs licensing, visit the Houses in Multiple Occupation page at the Communities and Local Government website.

To find out more about the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) visit the Housing health and safety page at the Communities and Local Government.