Property owner/ HMO checks

Before you rent a room in a shared accommodation, check if the landlord has the correct licence to legally rent their property.

Houses of Multiple Occupnacy (HMOs) are properties where three or more unrelated people share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

To find out whether a property has an HMO licence, ask your landlord or contact your local council for a list of licensed landlords in that area. www.gov.uk/find-local-council

UNDERSTANDING LICENSING

Mandatory HMO Licensing

It is a legal requirement to licence properties that are defined as Mandatory HMOs - larger shared rental properties with five or more (unrelated) people from more than one household.

Additional HMO Licensing

Applies to smaller shared houses and flats with three or more (unrelated) occupants from more than one household.

Selective Licensing

This applies to all private rented properties regardless of number and relations of occupants.

CHECKING THE LEGAL PROPERTY OWNER

If you are unsure whether the landlord or lead person(s) owns the property you are about to rent, use the Land Registry website which may have a record of your landlord’s name and address: www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

„ You’ll need to pay a small fee for this information.

„ If the prospective landlord is not the property owner, you will need proof that they have the right to rent it to you.