Comments on: HMO Regulations In A Nutshell

By: anne glennie

anne glennie — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:11:14 +0000

I have a house with four bedrooms, drawing room, sitting room, large kitchen diner with aga and two electric ovens, laundry room with washing maching, dryer and dishwasher, sink, cupboards etc. it is mainly on one floor with two of the bedrooms and bathroom on first floor. All rooms on ground floor have french windows. I currently let to 4 students who share a tenancy agreement and are jointly and severally liable. Do I need permission for a multiple occupancy? Have been letting this house since 2006

By: Domantas Cibas

Domantas Cibas — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:51:14 +0000

Hi there,
me and my two friends are looking to rent a flat. We all are guys and studying at the same uni.
The flat is on first floor, has 3 double bedrooms, huge corridors, a spacious kitchen and a big living room.
Everything seems ok, but my friends would like to have their girlfriends living together. It is ok with me, but will the council let to live two couples and one person in a flat like this?

Thanks,
Domantas

By: Matthew Moody

Matthew Moody — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:43:59 +0000

Alan, all depends on the local council interpretation of the HMO regulations. Technically, its a different type of HMO with different rules but you’d need to prove that its a hostel…

By: Alan Joel

Alan Joel — Fri, 20 May 2011 15:19:03 +0000

If the property has more than 5 people and is more than 3 storeys but is a hostel my understanding is that mandatory HMO Licencensing is NOT required. Is that correct?

By: Matthew Moody

Matthew Moody — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:07:10 +0000

Paula, yes you’ll need fire doors throughout the building – especially if its 3 storeys and 7 rooms!! You’ll need a fire panel as well as emergency lighting.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:17:15 +0000

Hi Matt,
Come across you online first time today. Thanks for your information. I’m in a position where 2 years ago I couldn’t sell family home so moved an let out. I’ve recently discovered by browsing online that I require a mandatory HMO license because of an attic bedroom. I was innocently letting out on one joint AST to 7 adults who are all friends thinking this made the situation HMO exempt. I’ve decided to install heat alarm, extingushers, fire blankets. I currently have a wired mains smoke alarm system installed in 2005 on all 3 floors. Re. fire doors, I have read elsewhere that each room requires a fire door OR fire escape such as an opening window for this purpose – the house is fully double glazed with large windows in every room which open wide for fire escape purposes. Therefore would I really need fire doors or is this something I would need to negotiate with the council about? The house is part new and part modernised so would be a shame to make these changes to what is effectively a large family home which I would like to sell as such in a few years time…..
Paula