Private landlords and tenants

Apply for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) licence

A building or part of a building is deemed to be a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if it meets any one of the following tests:

  • any building in which two or more families/individuals share basic amenities eg: a bathroom, toilet or kitchen facilities
  • any flat in which two or more families/individuals share basic amenities  
  • any converted building comprising one or more units of accommodation that are not self-contained
  • any converted building, comprising self-contained flats that does not meet as a minimum the 1991 Building Regulations standard and less than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied

Licensing HMOs

We only operate mandatory licensing of HMOs where the property is occupied by five or more people made up of more than one household. A mandatory HMO licence is not required for self-contained flats in purpose built blocks of three or more flats.

Apply for an HMO licence

Fees

Fees from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

  • new HMO licence - £779
  • renewal HMO licence - £699

Further information

Guidance on HMO amenity standards

For more information or to request a copy of the licensed HMO public register, email privatesectorhousing@tmbc.gov.uk.