HMO licensing

Mandatory

5+ people

2 or more households
Sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
Applies in every council in England
Licence usually runs up to 5 years

Additional

3+ people

2 or more households
Only where a council has designated an area
Area and fees set by the council
Runs for up to 5 years

Selective

Any rented home

Includes single lets, not only HMOs
Only where a council has designated an area
Large schemes need government approval
Runs for up to 5 years

Planning permission is separate

An HMO Article 4 direction means turning a house into a small HMO needs planning permission, even where no licence is required.

Room sizes

Bedroom for one adult: 6.51 m²
Bedroom for two adults: 10.22 m²
Bedroom for a child under 10: 4.64 m²
Need a mandatory licence: 5+ people

Minimum sizes for a sleeping room in a licensed HMO in England.