House in Multiple Occupancy licence (HMO)

If you rent out a property for house in multiple occupancy, you may require a licence from your local authority.

The aim of the licence is to ensure that landlords are fit and proper persons, that the accommodation meets the required standards and that high risk housing is dealt with.

It’s an offence to run a HMO without a licence. Owners and managers who do so can be taken to court and fined up to £20,000 for the offence, and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment order, which could mean the landlord would have to pay back up to 12 months’ worth of rent.

To receive an application form and for more information, contact us:

There are 2 kinds of HMO licences:

1. Mandatory licence
   For HMOs with 3 or more storeys that are occupied by 5 or more persons forming two or more households. The fee for a mandatory licence is £160 per unit of accommodation in addition to a £50 fee to process the application.
2. Additional licence
   For all other HMOs Cyngor Gwynedd has decided to make the additional licence relevant to all of Gwynedd to maintain standards. The fee for this licence is £160 per unit in addition to a £50 fee to process the application.

Eligibility criteria

• Applications must be made to the local housing authority.
• A fee will be charged.
• You must be a fit and proper person to hold the licence.

Application evaluation process

Licences will be granted if:

• the house is, or can be made, suitable for multiple occupation
• the applicant is a fit and proper person and the most appropriate person to hold the licence
• the proposed manager has control of the house, and is a fit and proper person to be the manager
• the management arrangements are satisfactory