Am I in HMO territory?

Am I in HMO territory?

10:28 AM, 1st April 2019, About 5 years ago 13

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I have a two bedroom flat in a large purpose built block in the city centre. Two beds, lounge, kitchen, family bathroom and en-suite to main bedroom. Basically it is a standard two bed residential apartment all on one floor.

I have always had a sole tenant or a couple in occupation until now.

The couple that have been there for the last two years are moving out and I’m advertising for a new tenant. I have been approached by a nice lady who wants to rent the property with her partner and also a third person who she says is a friend. (Apparently they are currently renting on this basis). Says all three of them want to be on the tenancy agreement.

I have never been involved with HMO’s before, not my area of expertise at all, but I do know the rules have changed last year. I guess I don’t need to apply for an HMO licence as there aren’t five persons involved?

But from what I can see I might be setting up a non licenceable HMO here as there are more than two persons? Can I just get all three of them to sign the tenancy agreement and not worry about anything else and simply carry on as I’ve done in the past or am I missing something major?

Many thanks

Dylan

Editors Notes: See .Gov >> https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence

House in multiple occupation licence

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ (for example a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s sometimes called a ‘house share’.

If you want to rent out your property as a house in multiple occupation in England or Wales you must contact your council to check if you need a licence.

You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO in England or Wales. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply:

  • it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household
  • some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
  • at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them)

Even if your property is smaller and rented to fewer people, you may still need a licence depending on the area. Check with your council.


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Comments

Puzzler

10:27 AM, 6th April 2019, About 5 years ago

In Newham you would require a licence. Most other areas probably not.

Do check your lease though, as some say "single household only".

John Frith

10:54 AM, 6th April 2019, About 5 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Puzzler at 06/04/2019 - 10:27
Puzzler said: "Do check your lease though, as some say "single household only"."

A household as used in an HMO is defined by legislation, and is clear. Any ideas where "household" is defined when used in relation to a lease, as it's use in leases must pre-date the HMO legislation?

RayC

19:39 PM, 12th April 2019, About 5 years ago

Hello I am new here and still reading a number threads and when coming across this thread I find the very in so much HMO Dwelling were I believe more than 5 unrelated occupants, but I maybe wrong, I believe also the Tenants in the such comes within the Housing Act 2006 which I believe comes from the Housing 2004,
Where I am lost with HMO and the Tenants within would explain In Street v Mountford House-of-Lords Ruling [1985] Lord Templeman said: "A tenant armed with exclusive possession can keep out strangers and keep out the landlord, unless the landlord is exercising limited rights reserved to him by the tenancy agreement to enter and view and repair".
Would someone explain were is the Exclusive Possession for Tenants in a HMO Dwelling if the Management and control is responsibility of the Landlord under the Housing Act 2006

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