The Housing Act 2004 introduced a national scheme to licence larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The licence scheme aims to improve health and safety for tenants and ensure high tenancy management standards.
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a building occupied by more than one household and includes houses containing bedsits, hostels and shared houses. In general, HMOs on three or more storeys, which have 5 or more tenants who make up more than one household will require a licence. A household is classed as tenants who are part of the same family, this includes unmarried or same-sex couples. A group of friends sharing a house will not count as a single household.
A licence lasts for 5 years and can cost between £360 and £550 depending on the type of property.
The Council's environmental health officers will inspect all licensed HMOs and will also investigate any complaint about an HMO, including those that do not need to be licensed. If conditions in the property are not up to standard, the landlord or owner will be required to improve them.
Further information on this subject can be found on the access the DirectGov website
For more information contact:
Environment Service
Friars Wynd
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4RT
Tel: 01748 829100 Fax: 01748 826186
Email: environment@richmondshire.gov.uk
Pages in this section
- Do I need a licence?
- Check list for licence requirements
- How do I apply for an HMO licence?
- How do I apply for an HMO licence?
Print page
Last updated:
25 June 2008
