HMOs in London with 5 or more occupants in 2 households, require a mandatory HMO licence. For HMOs in London with fewer tenants, they may need an additional or selective HMO licence depending on the local council.
Operating an HMO without a licence is a criminal offence with significant legal and financial consequences. Landlords must ensure that they have the right licences in place and are keeping up with important health and safety standards for their property.
If you’re unsure of your legal obligations as a landlord, such as HMO licences, we can help. At J Property Management we help London landlords expertly manage their properties – from securing the right licences to ensuring regular property checks and ongoing maintenance. Whatever your needs, we can help. Contact us today to discuss your specific property management requirements.
What Is Classified As An HMO in London?
An HMO property in London is any property in which three or more tenants (who are not from the same family) live sharing a toilet, bathroom or kitchen.
These include:
- Shared houses
- Hostels
- Private halls of residence
- Student homes
- Bedsits
- Employee accommodation
- Refuges
- Some buildings converted into flats
And many other types of accommodations. If a landlord is renting out a property to 3 or more people where the facilities are shared, their property is an HMO and they need to be aware of their obligations.
When Does A London HMO Need A Licence?
All HMOs with 5 or more tenants require an HMO licence – both in London and the rest of the UK. However, certain London councils have specific criteria stating that HMOs with as few as three or more tenants need a specific HMO licence. These could be mandatory or count as part of the additional licensing scheme. Landlords need to check with their local council to know exactly what the specific licensing requirements are in their area.
Not sure if you need a licence or what type? Get in touch with our team today and we’ll happily advise. We work with hundreds of London landlords to help them stay on top of their legal and licensing obligations.
What Features Are Needed To Be Defined As An HMO in London?
To be classified as an HMO, properties need to have the following features:
- Occupants are not from a single family
- The property must be the primary or main residence of the tenants
- The accommodation is purely for residential purposes
- At least one of the occupants must be paying rent.
Which London Boroughs Require Additional HMO Licence?
Certain London boroughs require an additional HMO licence, covering homes shared by 3 or more people in 2 or more families. These boroughs include:
- Barking & Dagenham
- Barnet
- Camden
- Ealing
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hounslow
- Islington
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Lambeth
- Lewisham
- Merton
- Newham
- Redbridge
- Southwark
- Tower Hamlets
- Waltham Forest
- Westminster
What is Required For An HMO Licence in London?
In order to be issued an HMO licence in London, a property will need to have the following:
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
- Gas safety certificate.
- Smoke alarms
- Carbon Dioxide detectors
- Minimum room size (vary depending on the council; minimum size for bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms).
- Adherence to fire safety regulations
If you are managing an HMO, you will need to make sure that it has the above and be aware of annual checks and up-to-date certificates. It can be a lot to keep up with. Working with a London property management company, like J Property Management, can help you ensure that your property is adhering to all health and safety standards, undergoing regular maintenance checks and holds the right licences and certificates.
Do You Need an HMO Licence in London For 3 Tenants?
A property with 3 or more tenants legally counts as an HMO but you are unlikely to need a mandatory HMO licence in London for just 3 tenants – even if they are not from the same family.
However, certain local councils require an additional licence or a selective licence for 3- and 4-tenant properties in London. Selective Licences apply to all rental properties – not just HMOs – and increasingly more Councils are introducing these.
If your property is legally an HMO, you must comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations. Where needed, you must apply for an HMO Licence. Not complying can lead to costly fines for the landlord.
Does A 5-Tenant Property Require An HMO Licence in London?
Yes, if 5 or more people are living in a property in London (and just one of those tenants is not related to the others), this is an HMO that requires a mandatory licence. This is true both in London and across the rest of the UK.
Do Purpose Built Flats in London Need An HMO Licence?
Purpose built self-contained flats within a block comprising 3 or more self-contained flats are excluded from mandatory HMO licences. However, it is always worth checking with your local council as some have additional or selective licensing schemes in place.
What To Do If You Have An HMO in London
If you have an HMO in London, you should:
Define household
A “household” is a single person, a couple or members of the same family. If you have 3 or more tenants (and two or more are unrelated), you have an HMO and must understand your responsibilities.
Contact the local council
As HMO licensing rules vary between local areas, it is very important to check in with your local council to see if your property requires any additional or selective licences.
Work with a property management company
If you’re not sure if you need an HMO licence or what type, you can risk getting fined. At J Property Management, we are London property management experts, working with landlords across the city to help them get the right licences and adhere to all regulations.
Manage your HMO in London with J Property Management
Whether you’re looking to understand HMO licences, ensure that your property is legally compliant or need help with full property management services, we can help. At J Property Management, we help landlords all across South London and London manage their HMOs.
Contact us today to see how we can assist you.
