What is an HMO?

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are properties occupied by more than one household. Typically, in Bradford, HMOs can include bed sits, hostels, shared houses, student houses and properties converted into self-contained flats.

The risk of serious injury or death can be much higher for people living in HMOs than for other types of housing. To safeguard people living in HMOs the Government has made laws which require set standards of facilities, means of escape from fire and other fire precautions. In Bradford district which covers Bradford city and Keighley, Bradford Council is responsible for making sure these laws and standards are complied with.

Some types of larger HMOs also need to be licensed by the Council.

More about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

Under the Housing Act 2004, if you let a property which is one of the following types it is a House in Multiple Occupation:

• An entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. We explain what a 'household' is in the next section.
• A house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other non-self-contained accommodation and which is let to 3 or more tenants who form two or more households and who share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.
• A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self contained (this means that the flat does not have its own kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households.
• A building which is converted entirely into self-contained flats if the conversion did not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies.

In order to be an HMO the property must be used as the tenants’ only or main residence and it should be used solely or mainly to house tenants. Properties let to students and migrant workers will be treated as their only or main residence and the same will apply to properties which are used as domestic refuges.

What is a 'household'?

The following are 'households' for the purposes of the Housing Act 2004:

Members of the same family living together including:

• Couples married to each other or living together as husband and wife (or in an equivalent relationship in the case of persons of the same sex).
• Relatives living together, including parents, grandparents, children (and step-children), grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins.
• Half-relatives will be treated as full relatives. A foster child living with his foster parent is treated as living in the same household as his foster parent.

Any domestic staff are also included in the household if they are living rent-free in accommodation provided by the person for whom they are working.

Therefore, three friends sharing together are considered three households. If a couple are sharing with a third person that would consist of two households. If a family rents a property that is a single household. If that family had an au pair to look after their children, that person would be included in their household.