Multiple occupancy homes

The Council also carries out a programme of inspections of houses in multiple occupation - such as bedsits and hostels.

 

These inspections ensure they have the appropriate fire safety measures, such as fire detectors and fire doors, that they are in a reasonable standard of repair and have adequate facilities for the number of occupants living within the property.

 

What is an HMO?

In April 2006, the Government introduced compulsory licensing of larger, higher-risk Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as part of the Housing Act 2004. If you can answer yes to all of the questions below, your property must be licensed.


Does your property have:

  • three or more floors, including habitable basements and attics
  • five or more occupants, including children
  • two or more households
  • shared amenities such as a bathroom, kitchen or toilet

 

The properties most likely to be affected by this new law are student properties and bedsits where individual tenants share kitchens and bathrooms. However, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation and some guest houses may also need a licence. Anyone who manages or owns an HMO that falls into this description must apply to the council for a licence.  Houses converted entirely into self-contained flats will not be subject to mandatory licensing.


The Council will issue a licence if it is satisfied that the:

  • HMO is reasonably suitable for occupation by the number of people allowed under the licence
  • proposed licence holder is a fit proper and competent person
  • proposed licence holder (or proposed manager, if there is one) is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
  • proposed management and funding arrangements are satisfactory.

 

If you haven't applied for a licence you may be committing a criminal offence and be fined up to £20,000.

 

Licence fee for an HMO with up to and including seven units of accommodation

£477.41

 

If you would like to find out more or ask a question about the licensing of houses in multiple occupation please see the related links on the right of the page.

 

Two guides have been produced to help owners, agents and managers of houses in multiple occupation. Theses can be found on by clicking on the links below:

 

Minimum standards guide to fire protection in houses in multiple occupation.

 

Amenity standards for houses in multiple occupation and other houses.

 

If you have any further queries please either email envhealth@broxbourne.gov.uk or telephone 01992 785511.

 

For further information on decent homes is available.