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First time landlord guide
When a house is let to sharing occupants who are not a family unit, landlords must ensure that the property complies with rules around Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
A rented property is considered a House in Multiple Occupation if:
A property is occupied by five or more people, forming two or more households, who also share facilities such as the kitchen or bathroom, regardless of the number of storeys the property has.
A household is defined as either a single person or members of the same family who live together. A family includes people who are:
As well as all your normal legal responsibilities you must ensure:
National minimum room sizes for sleeping will be introduced:
You must contact your local council to determine whether you need a HMO licence before you let to tenants. If not, you could risk a fine of up to £20,000.