Holding a licence
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How long will my HMO licence last for?
Licenses will be issued for one, two and a half years, and five years. For full details on what will be considered when deciding which licence to issue please see:
Can the licence be transferred?
No, licences are not transferrable and in the event that the licence holder needs to be changed for any reason such as if the property is sold, then a new application would need to be submitted by the new owner.
What happens if I sell my licensed HMO?
If you sell your property, you must inform the Private Sector Housing team and your licence will be revoked upon proof of sale of the property being received. As the licence is not transferable the new owner will need to apply for a licence and pay a fee if they wish to continue operating the property as an HMO.
How to manage your HMO licence conditions?
Read our essential guidance on complying with HMO licence conditions. It covers topics like occupation of the property, waste management, alternative arrangements when out of the country, council’s request for information, contact details provided to adjoining properties, anti-social behaviour and special licence conditions.
What documents do I need to have on display in my HMO?
It is a condition of your licence that the following documents shall be displayed in the HMO in a communal part of the property such as a hallway or kitchen. Licence holders typically display these on a notice board in a plastic wallet or in an appropriately labelled folder.
- A hard copy of the full licence and conditions.
- The managers contact details.
- The procedure for notifying the manager of any emergency and other complaints concerning the property and details of how the manager will address them.