Houses in Multiple Occupation

An occupier means someone who resides in a property. This includes all adults and children living there, even if they have signed a joint tenancy.

A household is made up of family members, a couple, two unrelated people sharing the same home, or a single person.

Unrelated adults who are not a couple or part of a family are treated as separate households. A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property lived in by people from multiple, separate households. Examples include:

• a family and a friend renting together
• more than two students sharing a house
• more than two professional friends sharing a flat
• multiple casual workers each renting a separate room in a house

The households must all share amenities like kitchens and bathrooms.