What is an HMO?

A House in Multiple Occupation (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

What are the exemptions?

  • 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?

An 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

East London draft guidance on HMO standards

Contact us


Housing Standards
Housing Services
Cedar Wood House
2d Fulbourne Rd
Walthamstow
E17 4GG

Tel: 020 8496 3000
Email: Housing.Standards@walthamforest.gov.uk