Woking Borough Council
Civic OfficesGloucester SquareWokingSurreyGU21 6YL
Telephone: 01483 755855
Licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
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What is a HMO?
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a house (or flat) occupied by more than one family, who share a kitchen, bathroom and/or toilet facilities.
HMOs include bedsits, hostels and shared houses. Also included are buildings converted into self-contained flats where:
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they did not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations at the time of conversion
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they still do not comply with those standards
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less than two thirds of the flats are owner-occupied.
Does licensing apply to all HMOs?
Mandatory licensing of HMOs applies to those HMOs which represent the highest risk to their occupiers. These are HMOs which:
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are three or more storeys (including basements)
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occupied by five or more people living as two or more households
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include shared amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms and toilets.
Why license these HMOs?
HMOs play an important role in helping to meet the demand for affordable housing since they are a valuable source of relatively low cost accommodation.
However, HMOs often exhibit the worst living conditions in the private rented sector. HMO licensing is aimed at protecting the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups that typically occupy this type of housing by improving health and safety standards.
Who needs to apply for a licence?
Landlords must apply to the Council for a licence which will last five years. Failure to do so is an offence, which could result in a fine of up to £20,000.
By possessing a licence, landlords will be demonstrating their responsibility to tenants, as only properties found to be satisfactory by the Council's Environmental Health Service will be licensed. Properties capable of being brought up to a satisfactory standard will be licensed subject to conditions to ensure improvements are made within an agreed timescale.
To obtain an application form please contact us or apply online.
How much is the licence fee?
From 1 April 2010, a fee of £520 for a five year licence is payable on application to cover the Council's cost in administering the scheme.
What's the Council's role in licensing?
The Environmental Health Service will ensure the HMO meets the requirements necessary for protecting the health, safety and welfare of tenants.
In particular, they will check that the property has:
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adequate facilities and space for the number of occupants
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correctly installed smoke alarms and properly maintained and unobstructed means of escape in case of fire (includes fire doors and other fire precautions)
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been adequately maintained and is in good repair.
The person applying for the licence must also be a 'fit and proper person'. In general terms, this is a person who is competent to manage the property and has the resources to do it.
Details of licensed HMOs are included on a public register, so that tenants can find out if their own landlord is complying with the required standards.
Are there any penalties?
It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property:
- fails to apply for a licence for a licensable property
- allows a property to be occupied by more people than is permitted under the licence.
A fine of up to £20,000 may be imposed. In addition, breaking any of the licence conditions can result in fines of up to £5,000.
Further information
To check whether your HMO requires a licence, or to obtain further details on mandatory licensing, please contact us.
A public register detailing all licenses issued by Woking Borough Council is available to view at the Civic Offices. There is no charge for accessing the public register, however, there is a charge for the provision of certified copies of an entry on the register.