HMO Licensing: Your Path to Compliance and Profitability
We provide the most complete HMO service in the UK, guiding landlords through the essential process of obtaining and maintaining their House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences.
With over 500 HMOs under our management in the last 10 years, and several hundred more that we have successfully converted and licensed for our clients, our expertise is unparalleled.
We not only cover all aspects of HMO licensing – including Mandatory, Additional, and Selective schemes – and planning applications (such as Article 4 Directions and Sui Generis), but we can also plan and execute the conversion with all necessary works (like fire door and fire alarm system installations). We even offer full property management for a truly hands-off investment.
Beyond the Obligation: Strategic Licensing for ROI
While obtaining an HMO Licence is the fundamental core of what we do – a crucial legal obligation for operating an HMO – its value extends far beyond simple compliance. Merely securing a licence will not automatically increase your Return on Investment (ROI). We help you leverage the licensing process to strategically enhance your property’s value and profitability.
If you’re seeking to unlock greater potential from your HMO, we invite you to explore our related services: our Conversion with Space Optimisation service, comprehensive Full Management service, and expert Investment Advice service.
That said, we are absolute professionals in every aspect of the licensing process itself. Should you instruct us, we will visit your property to conduct a personal assessment, applying the same rigorous standards that local councils use for their evaluations, ensuring you are fully prepared.
Our Comprehensive Licensing Services
We offer a streamlined and effective approach to HMO licensing, ensuring your property is compliant and optimised.
Standard Licensing Package: What’s Included
Our core licensing services are all included in a £745 + VAT standard package price. (For details on other licensing prices and package options, please refer to our dedicated licensing options page.) For landlords who choose to instruct us for full property management, this licensing fee will be credited back to you.
Here’s what our standard package covers:
Expert HMO Compliance Advice
Understanding and adhering to complex HMO regulations can be daunting. We meticulously check and measure all bedrooms, living rooms, communal spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. We then provide expert advice on legal room sizes and the maximum number of tenants permissible for your specific HMO licence.
It’s crucial to understand that, for example, having six bedrooms does not automatically guarantee a licence for six tenants; the licence criteria are dependent on a number of interconnected factors. A professional assessment before applying for the licence is therefore essential. You will receive a full and comprehensive Report highlighting all important factors and advising on any necessary modifications to achieve the desired number of tenants on your licence.
Integrated Fire Risk Assessment
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a legal obligation for all HMOs across the UK. Our standard package includes this vital service, saving you the typical cost of £250 or more if you were to arrange it independently.
Tailored Fire Safety Recommendations
Based on our detailed Report and the Fire Risk Assessment, we will advise on all necessary fire safety works required to comply with the HMO licence. This includes guidance on fire doors with fittings, fire alarm systems with exact specifications, and any other required fireproofing. We can also provide highly competitive, no-obligation quotes for these works.
Seamless Licence Application & Grant Assistance
Navigating the local council’s HMO licensing application process can be complex, time-consuming, and prone to pitfalls if not handled correctly. We take the entire burden off your shoulders, providing comprehensive, end-to-end assistance from initial submission right through to the successful granting of your HMO licence.
Our dedicated team meticulously prepares and submits all necessary documentation on your behalf, ensuring every form is accurately completed and every required certificate is in order. We understand the specific nuances of each local authority’s requirements, helping to avoid common errors that can lead to delays or rejections.
The Different Types of HMO Licences
Understanding the various types of HMO licences is crucial for compliance. We guide you through each one:
Mandatory HMO Licensing
This is a national scheme applying to all HMOs rented to five or more people forming two or more separate households, who share toilet, bathroom, or kitchen facilities.
If your property meets these criteria, a Mandatory HMO Licence is legally required. It ensures minimum standards for property management, fire safety, and living conditions.
Additional HMO Licensing
Many local councils have introduced Additional Licensing schemes. These apply to HMOs that don’t fall under mandatory licensing but are still considered HMOs, typically those with three or four tenants sharing facilities.
These schemes are specific to certain boroughs or areas and are implemented by councils to address local housing issues, often focusing on improving management standards and safety in smaller HMOs.
Selective Licensing
Distinct from HMO-specific licences, Selective Licensing schemes are implemented by local authorities in designated areas. These schemes require all private landlords (not just HMOs) to obtain a licence if their property is rented out in a specified area.
Selective Licensing is typically introduced to tackle issues such as low housing demand, anti-social behaviour, or poor property conditions within an area.
Essential Planning Permissions for HMOs
Beyond licensing, certain HMO developments also require specific planning permission, especially in the UK. We provide expert assistance to navigate this complex area:
Article 4 Directions
In some areas, local councils have implemented Article 4 Directions. These remove certain “permitted development rights” that would otherwise allow conversion of a single dwelling (Use Class C3) into a small HMO (Use Class C4, typically 3-6 tenants) without formal planning permission. If your property is in an Article 4 area, you will need to apply for planning permission for such conversions. We help you understand these local nuances and prepare robust applications.
Sui Generis (Large HMO) Planning Permission
If you intend to accommodate seven or more tenants in your HMO, the property’s use class changes to Sui Generis (meaning “in a class of its own”). This classification always requires a full planning application, regardless of whether it’s in an Article 4 area. These applications are generally more complex, requiring detailed assessments on factors like parking, amenity space, and potential impact on the local area. We conduct an Initial Planning Survey (IPS) to research the property and the area, ensuring your application has the best chance of success. This includes a desk-based appraisal to ascertain the merit in submitting an application, potentially saving you thousands by avoiding applications for properties where planning permission would be refused. The cost of this service is £845 + VAT, and any work undertaken in the initial advice comes off the invoice for the planning application to avoid duplication of fees.
Unlock Your Property’s Full Potential
We pride ourselves on being the only company in the UK that provides this full spectrum of services, all designed to most likely increase your ROI.
Let HMO Licensing work with you to ensure your property becomes a thriving HMO.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our experts will assess your property, discuss your investment goals, and provide a tailored plan to maximise your return on investment.
