New HMO (House of Multiple Occupation) Changes from 1st October 2018

From 1st October 2018, the law regarding HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation) is changing.

There are new conditions that will apply to certain HMOs that are occupied by five or more people that form two or more households, regardless of the number of storeys the property occupies. Previously, the licensing of HMOs only applied to buildings of three or more storeys.

The definition of an HMO is a building or a converted flat where occupants lack or share basic amenities such as a toilet, bathroom or cooking facilities with the above criteria of occupants.

What other changes have happened?

Minimum room sizes in licensed HMOs

There are now mandatory conditions in licences that regulate the size and use of rooms as sleeping accommodation including:

• Making clear the absolute minimum sizes of rooms that may be used for sleeping.

Refuse disposal and storage facilities in licensed HMOs

• These changes will also include a mandatory condition requiring the HMO licence holder to comply with their local authority scheme for the provision of facilities for the proper disposal and storage of domestic refuse.
• Providing suitable facilities for the disposal and storage of refuse is considered to be a fair and proper responsibility for the manager of an HMO.

Did you know the law is changing for rental properties?

Does your rental property now need a HMO License?

Do the bedrooms meet the minimum required sizes?

If you would like to discuss your HMO property or even unsure if your property would require a license, please feel free to drop me a line @ luke.stclair@knightsbridge-estates.co.uk or call me 07917 899 495.