House in multiple occupation licence

Licence summary

If you rent out a property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), you may require a licence from your local authority.

A mandatory HMO licence is required if all three of the following apply:

• It is three or more storeys high
• It has five or more people in more than one household, and
• Some or all of the occupants share amenities such as bathrooms, toilets or cooking facilities

Eligibility criteria

Applications must be made to the local housing authority.

A fee will be charged and current fees are:

Basic fee

• £245 per unit for which rent is paid (bedsit or flat)

Additional costs (20%)

• Application which is incomplete: £294 per unit
• Application where fees are missing or payment is invalid: £294 per unit

Additional costs (40%)

• Application which is incomplete and fees are missing or payment is invalid: £343 per unit

Additional costs (100%)

• Where owner/person in control deliberately fails to apply for a licence and legal proceedings are instigated: £490 per unit.

You must be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Regulation summary

A summary of the eligibility criteria for this licence.

Application evaluation process

Licences will be granted if:

• The house is or can be made suitable for multiple occupation.
• The applicant is a fit and proper person and the most appropriate person to hold the licence.
• The proposed manager has control of the house, and is a fit and proper person to be the manager.
• The management arrangements are satisfactory.

Mandatory and discretionary licence conditions will also apply.

The HMO policy is available here(pdf, 71KB).

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted.

Apply on-line

Apply for a house in multiple occupation licence

Apply by post/in person

• HMO licensing application form(pdf, 102KB)
• Renewal licensing application form(pdf, 82KB)

Additional information

• HMO licensing policy(pdf, 71KB)
• Guidance on the HMO licensing leaflet(pdf, 136KB)

Failed application redress

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

You may appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal.

Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made.

Licence holder redress

Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

You may appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal regarding conditions attached to a licence or any decision to vary or revoke a licence.

Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made.

Consumer complaint

If a licence is granted and you wish to appeal against it being granted you may do so to a Residential Property Tribunal within 28 days of the decision being made.

Other redress

Complaints about noise or pollution should be addressed to the local council.

Trade associations

• National Landloards Association
• Residential Landlords Association
• British Property Federation

Contact Residential Environmental Health

We are open Monday to Thursday - 9am to 5.15pm and Friday 9am to 5pm

If you have any questions or would like any advice please contact us:

Telephone: 020 8487 5123
Email: residentialeh@richmond.gov.uk
Fax: 020 8831 6404