4. Would these 3 make an HMO?
Would these three make an HMO if
they were living together?
YES – they’re friends,
not blood-related
5. Mandatory Licences
• For the last 5 years the bigger HMOs
with 5 unrelated occupants and 3 storeys
have needed a licence
• The licence cost was £800 over 5 years
6. Additional Licensing - Phase 1
2011
• Phase 1 – last year
• All 4 person 3 storey homes
• All 5 person 1 storey homes
• Licence costs ~ £1,200 over 5 years
• Key changes required
– Interlinked fire alarm system
– Fire doors (esp kitchen)
– Under stairs fire protection
7. How did it go
• Generally has gone well
• 500 properties licensed last year
• Circa 50 cases against landlords brought
and being brought to court
8. Additional Licensing – Phase 2
2012
• Phase 2 – This year
• All property being used as an HMO must have applied
for a licence before 31 Jan 2012
• All homes with 3 sharers need a licence from 31st Jan
onwards
• Key changes required
– Interlinked fire alarm system
– Fire doors (esp kitchen)
– Under stairs fire protection
9. Class Usage
• All houses used by families or sharers
were classified as C3
• In April 2010 the law changed
• C3 now means family use
• C4 now means sharers’ use
10. Feb 2012 changes
• If you have a house with sharers on 23 Feb 2012 it
automatically assumes C4 usage without the need to
apply for planning consent
• From 24 Feb 2012 you will need to apply for planning
consent to change the usage from a family to sharers
• In some areas (E Oxford) there is a ban on any more
C4s
• In other areas there can be no more than 25% C4s in a
street [we think this will be the policy but the Council is yet to
announce it]
11. Implications
• If you get a change of use to C4 you will then
need to apply for an HMO licence
• You need to fulfil HMO requirements – fire alarm
etc
• Landlord becomes liable for the council tax –
factor this into your budgeting
12. To know more
Frank Webster
• frank.webster@finderskeepers.co.uk
• 01865 302308
Student Letting: Simon Tyrrell
• simon.tyrrell@finderskeepers.co.uk
• 01865 200012