What is a HMO
A House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) is a house, which is occupied by people who do not form a single household. Examples include:
- a house let as individual bed sitting rooms
- a group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants
- hostels, some hotels, guesthouses
- lodgings, and shared houses
- houses converted into self-contained flats
Exemption
- house or flat with only two persons
- resident landlord plus two separate tenants
- houses converted entirely into self contained flats with Building regulations Approval, where at least one third are owner occupied
- houses subject to control orders
- registered social landlords (such as housing associations)
- houses registered under the Children Act 1989, Registered homes Act 1984
- educational establishments
- health service accommodation
- local authority owned property
What are the standards?
A HMO will have to meet the Council's standards. These include:
- means of escape in case of fire and other fire precautions
- amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms toilets and wash hand basins
- overcrowding with regards to the number and size of rooms
- general fitness for occupation
- management standards
- gas safety
- furniture fire safety
For further information please contact
Environmental Health
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
tel 020 8496 3000
