- Houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s) are premises in which tenants share parts of the accommodation (kitchens, bathrooms, toilets or simply the hallway or stairs) with people who are not part of the same household.
The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords of certain types of houses of multiple occupation (HMO's) to be licensed by the Local Authority. These are those HMO's that consist of 3 storeys or more and contain at least 5 occupiers.
As part of the housing Act 2004 legislation mandatory licensing has been introduced for all houses in multiple occupation that are:
- Of three storeys or more (even if the lower storeys are used for industrial/commercial use i.e. a shop)
- With five or more tenants (including children)
- Belonging to two or more households
It is widely accepted that HMOs often contain the worst housing conditions and the greatest risk of fire. Three storey or more HMOs pose the greatest risk to the health and safety of the occupiers and therefore the landlord or managing agent of these properties are legally required to hold a license.
If the owner or person acting on his/her behalf does not apply for a license they may face large fines of up to £20,000 and a criminal record. In addition, rents paid on an unlicensed HMO may be recoverable via a decision of the Residential Property Tribunal.
Waltham Forest Council is currently issuing application forms and guidance notes to those landlords and managing agents that have requested them.
For more information on mandatory HMO licensing and to identify whether you have a property that needs licensing visit: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/landlordsdoyou
To apply for a licence for a property in Waltham Forest you can:
- Download and print out the application form and guidance notes below
- Or e mail hmolicensing@walthamforest.gov.uk
- Or telephone Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000
- Or write to the HMO Team, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Consumer Protection, Sycamore House, Forest Road, London E17 4JF
Documents:
- Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Guide -March 2006 (170Kb PDF file)]
- HMO license application form (1.9Mb PDF file)
As signatures and documents are needed to complete this application, only paper copies posted to the contact address below will be accepted. - HMO licence application form guidance notes (491Kb PDF file)
- To enquire further about Licensing and HMOs generally please fill out the enquiry form:
- HMO enquiry form (75Kb Word file)
- HMO enquiry form (67Kb PDF file)
To view pdf documents you may need to download Acrobat Reader. To download this free software visit: www.adobe.co.uk/support/new.html.
Contact us
HMO Team
Consumer Protection Services
Environment and
Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest
Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
tel
020 8496 3000
