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Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
HMOs are rental properties occupied by 3 or more people not part of the same household.
HMOs and households
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a rental property occupied by 3 people or more who are not all part of the same household (family). They share the property including toilets, bathrooms and/or cooking facilities.
HMOs can be formed of:
- an entire house or flat
- a house converted into bedsits (or other non self-contained accommodation)
- a house converted into one or more flats
A HMO can also be a building converted into self-contained flats where:
- the conversion did not meet the the Building Regulations 1991 - Legislation.gov.uk
- more than one third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies
Households
A ‘household’ is defined as members of the same family sharing domestic accommodation. This includes:
- married couples or non-married couples living together
- relatives living together
- half-relatives living with their relatives
- foster children living with their foster parent(s)
Domestic staff are also included as part of a household if they are living rent-free in accommodation provided by the person for whom they are working.
Contact us if you want advice about HMO licences and the legislation.
Email: housing.standards@woking.gov.uk
Telephone: 01483 743882