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Definitions

Government legislation is used to define what constitutes Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) across the UK.

Under the Housing Act 2004 a HMO is defined as one of the following:

  • A shared house lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities such as wc, wash hand basin, shower, bath or cooking facilities
  • A house divided into bedsits lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities
  • An individual flat lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities
  • A building of self-contained flats which does not meet 1991 Building Regulation standards

However, there are exemptions including the following types of buildings:

  • Those occupied by only two people
  • Those occupied by the owner and family and one or two lodgers
  • Those occupied by a religious community
  • Those owned by public bodies
  • Those owned by educational institution
  • Those of self-contained flats if two-thirds or more of the flats are owner-occupied

For further information about HMO definitions and licensing visit the HMO Licensing or contact our Private Rented Housing Team on 01934 634 931.

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