Properties

There are certain larger Houses in Multiple Occupation which require licensing. To determine if the property you rent requires a licence there are 3 main questions. The questions are designed to be answered in sequence. For example if the property is occupied by 5 people it does not automatically require a licence.

How is the property occupied?

No licence required:

• a property let to a single family, individual or couple
• a property which is all fully *self contained flats

May require a licence:

• an individual flat occupied by 5 people sharing
• a property let to a group of people as a shared or student house
• a property let as individual bedsits
• a property in mixed use
• a property let as non-self contained flats

*A self contained flat is a flat with all basic amenities (kitchen, bathroom, etc) for that flat behind a single entrance door to that flat. This may include a flat which is more that 1 storey, a maisonette.

How many people live in there?

If there are 5 or more people in the property then a licence may be required. If the property is occupied by less than 5 people a licence is not required.

How many storeys has the property?

When counting the number of storeys the following must be counted:

Generally:

• those used wholly or partly for living accommodation
• those used in connection with the HMO eg meter and boiler siting, storage, laundry facilities.
• attics and basements
• used wholly or partly for living accommodation
• constructed, converted or adapted for living accommodation
• where connected to the living accommodation by an internal stairway and used as part of the property e.g. meter and boiler position, storage (when used by tenants), laundry facilities or main access route into HMO (basement)

Commercial parts of the building eg shop, office, store etc at or above ground level:

• all storeys above or below living accommodation

Mezzanine levels:

• where room(s) are provided between adjoining floors and used as part of the living accommodation or in connection with it: eg bedroom, bathroom, toilet, storage, boiler or meter position. This will include rooms off of half landings, eg rear tenements. These are to be counted if they result in the property being three storeys at any point.

3 storeys:

Property requires a licence.

Less than 3 storeys:

Property does not require a licence.

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