Private renting
Houses in multiple occupation
Your home is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if both of the following apply:
- at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household
- you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
Your home is a large HMO if both of the following apply:
- at least 5 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household
- you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
A household is either a single person or members of the same family who live together. A family includes people who are:
- married or living together - including people in same-sex relationships
- relatives or half-relatives, for example grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings
- step-parents and step-children
Large HMOs need a licence from the local council.
Rules for HMOs
The usual rules for landlords and tenants apply to all HMOs - check your rights, your landlord’s safety responsibilities and the rules on repairs.
Your local council may have extra rules for your HMO. Contact your local council to check.
If you live in a large HMO
Your landlord has to make sure the property meets certain standards. Check the standards for large HMOs.
How to complain about an HMO
Contact your local council to report problems with your HMO.
The council is responsible for enforcing HMO standards and can make a landlord take action to correct any problems.
When you can claim back rent
You may be able to reclaim some of your rent if your landlord has been renting out an unlicensed large HMO.
You’ll need to apply to a tribunal to reclaim it.
You can contact your local council to check if an HMO is licensed.