Additional HMO licensing scheme consultation

Give your views on our plans to introduce a licensing scheme for smaller privately rented houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Contents

Overview

We’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to safe, good quality housing.

Over 20% of our residents live in the private rented sector. Many of these residents live in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) – properties where people from different households share facilities, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

While many HMOs are well managed, some are not. Poorly managed properties can have serious impacts on the health, safety and wellbeing of private tenants and their neighbours. We also know that some tenants worry about reporting problems.

What we're consulting on

We're proposing to introduce an additional licensing scheme for HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households.

You can take part in the consultation by:

  • completing our online survey
  • attending one of our drop-in events

The consultation ends on Sunday 31 August 2025.

All consultation responses will be reviewed and the results reported to the Executive which will decide whether or not to implement the scheme.