Multiple Occupancy Homes
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Multiple Occupancy Homes
Announcement
Please note: as from 1st April 2008, the licensing fees for licensable HMOs have been restructured and increased.
Full details can be found in the new application, renewal forms and on the FAQ page.
Properties accredited with CLASS (Liverpool City Council's landlord accreditation scheme) prior to application, will attract the appropriate discount.
A HMO is a building, or part of a building, occupied by 3 or more persons in more than one household. It may be a shared house; comprise bedsits, non-self-contained flats or self-contained flats in certain circumstances. More information about the definition of a HMO can be found on the FAQ page.
Buildings comprising purpose-built flats or those converted to flats to post-1991 Building Regulations are NOT HMOs although this does not preclude a single flat from being so.
The Housing Act 2004 came into force in April 2006. It introduces a new complex definition of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) which now includes shared houses, occupied typically by students.
HMOs are typically occupied by young lower-income single people, including some particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, physical and management standards are often low and statistics have shown that HMOs pose a greater risk from fire to the occupiers than do single-occupancy homes.
Regulations have been made under the Act to ensure good management and standards.
Further implications of the Housing Act 2004 for HMOs:
The Housing Act 2004 introduced mandatory licensing for certain types of HMO. Currently this applies to the larger, higher-risk HMOs of 3 or more storeys occupied by 5 or more people. If you own or manage such a property, it MUST be licensed. Find out more about HMO licensing.
The Act has replaced the former Housing Fitness Standard, which focused on the structure of buildings and facilities provided, with the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) considers the hazards and risks to the health and safety of people living in, or visiting, the building.
Our aim and role:
Liverpool City Council aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of all its residents who live in, or visit, the city's HMOs. Wherever possible, we use our powers to ensure that these dwellings are free from avoidable hazards and suitable for the numbers of occupiers.
We achieve this by:
. Responding to complaints
. Revisiting premises to ensure that work has been carried out and standards are being maintained.
. Viewing planning applications.
We insist that these properties comply with all relevant legislation under the Housing Act 2004 and the standards adopted by the City Council.
The main areas of concern are:
. Fire safety
. gas and electrical safety
. management standards
. disrepair
. poor maintenance
. lack of facilities
. overcrowding
Advice for Landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation
HMO's are subject to certain standards which they must comply with. The standards for the different types of HMO and the standards of management that must be provided, as well as other valuable information can be found on this (link to landlord info page) page
How to Contact us
For further information and advice, please contact us by:
. Post: Public Protection Division, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH
. Telephone: 0151 225 6614
. Fax: 0151 225 6039
. Email: environmental.health@liverpool.gov.uk