Housing Act Guide: Which Properties Are Licensable?

The prime objective of the RLA is to campaign in Government and Parliament on behalf of our members

Type of licence

There are four types of licences which may be required depending on the circumstances:-

1. Mandatory HMO Licensing

Where an HMO is occupied by 5 or more people and there are 3 or more storeys.  Both requirements apply.

2. Additional HMO Licensing

This is an area designated for additional HMO licensing by the local authority.  Currently, there are no designations in force.

3. Deemed Additional Licensing / Transitional Licensing

This only applies with an old style HMO registration scheme operated in a particular local authority area.

Note: For any of these 3 cases set out above to apply the property must be an HMO.  See What is an HMO.  However,  not all HMOs are licensable.

4. Selective Licensing

Selective Licensing applies to all rented properties in a selective licensing area.  These are designated by the local authority.  This must be an area of low demand and/or anti social behaviour.  Where it applies it does not just apply to HMOs in these areas.   Selective licensing is, however, similar to HMO licensing in many respects.

Why Should I Join?

Housing Act Guide: Which Properties Are Licensable?