National changes to the Mandatory HMO definition

From 1st October 2018 all properties in England which house 5 or more people in two or more separate households will require an HMO licence.

In 2006 Mandatory licensing of HMOs came into force for properties of three storeys or more with five or more people making up two or more separate households living in them.

Transitional Provisions

Properties currently licenced under Part 2 (mandatory or additional licensing):

• The existing licence is valid and its conditions will apply until the date the licence expires.
• The extended mandatory licensing conditions (minimum sleeping room sizes and waste disposal requirements) will apply from the renewal of the existing licence.

New conditions for mandatory HMOs

Minimum room sizes for HMOs:

The mandatory room size conditions will be the statutory minimum and are not intended to be the optimal room size. Local housing authorities will continue to have discretion to set their own higher standards within licence conditions

Waste disposal

All licences issued after 1 October 2018 will include a condition requiring the compliance with the council’s storage and waste disposal scheme. For more information on HMOs contact your Local Authority.