Applying for an initial HMO licence
This applies when:
- The property is a licensable Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) where no licence has been previously approved or
- The licence holder for a previously licensed HMO needs to change, this often happens because the HMO has changed ownership
If neither of these options apply, please go to the re-licensing of a licensable HMO page.
An application consists of the following:
A fully completed application form
You can apply online using the Business Link website, or alternatively use the application document below:
Application for a HMO licence [406KB]
The relevant fee
This can be paid by credit or debit card (telephone 01752 307075) or by cheque. If you pay by cheque, please complete the payment reference sheet (see below) to ensure that the fee is recorded against your application.
The relevant certificates
Certificates must be current and the inspections carried out by competent persons. The certificates we require are:
- A periodic inspection report of the electrical wiring installation, this must be less than five years old. Even if this identifies faults you should still submit it. We may require works to be carried out within an appropriate time as a part of the licence conditions.
- A test report on any electrical appliances you provide (unless these are less than 12 months old).
- A gas safety certificate in respect of the gas installation and landlord’s gas fittings (where these are provided). This should be no older than 12 months.
- Where there is a grade A, or grade A plus D, fire alarm system an inspection certificate (no older than 12 months).
- Where there is emergency lighting an inspection certificate (no older than 12 months).
A plan of the property
The application form gives advice on this. In addition, you can use the template documents (see below) to help you. The plan does not need to be of architectural quality, nor does it need to be to scale. However, it should be sufficient to show us the general layout and proportions of the HMO.
Submitted paper documents must be original (not photocopies), although we will accept scanned original documents and certificates as PDF files.
The following documents will help you to apply:
HMO standard licence conditions [63KB]
Payment reference sheet [59KB]
Licensing fees [132KB]
Property sketch plan template [80KB]
Left hand tenement property sketch plan template [80KB]
Right hand tenement property sketch plan template [80KB]
Sample property sketch plan [89KB]
What happens next?
We will check your application and see if it is complete. If there is anything missing, we will advise you. However, the delays may mean that your full application is not received until after the due date. If this happens, you will be charged the full £800 fee. Please make sure that all the paperwork has been properly completed.
We will need to inspect the property and will arrange an appointment for this. When we inspect we are looking at:
- The general management of the property
- Whether there are significant hazards to the health and safety of occupiers (the housing health and safety rating system or HHSRS)
- Whether the property meets the standards for amenities and room sizes for the proposed occupancy
These are all referred to in the document HMO Licensing Standards below:
HMO licensing standards [251KB]
We will then decide whether the property, licence holder and management arrangements are suitable. We will also determine the appropriate occupancy and whether any additional licence conditions are required. These conditions usually refer to works needed to meet HMO licensing standards.
Before issuing a licence we must serve a 'notice of intention' to grant the licence. This allows you two weeks to consider the terms of the licence (occupancy, conditions and duration) we propose to grant. Please check these documents and advise us if there are any problems.
An HMO licence normally lasts for five years. However, the licence can be shorter when there has been delay in application, or there are specific problems identified with the application. Our HMO Licensing Policy describes how this applies.
If you are unhappy with the content of an HMO licence, you can formally appeal to the Residential Property Tribunal Service. We include how, and when, to do this in the documents we send you when a licence is approved.
Please note that 'tacit approval' does not apply. It is in the public interest that we fully process applications before licences are granted. Our target time for processing applications is eight weeks. If you have not heard from us by then please contact the licensing team on the phone number, or email address, in the 'contacts' list above.
What must I do when a licence has been approved?
See the what to do after approval of licence page.