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Which HMOs need to be licenced?

This page contains the following information:

Mandatory licensing
Additional licensing
Selective licensing of other residential accommodation
Self test
Street index

Mandatory licensing

Mandatory Licensing of HMOs is required by law, and is operated by all Local Authorities in England and Wales.

applies to properties that are:

three or more storeys high, and
let to five or more persons who form more than one household and
who share an amenity such as kitchen, bathroom or toilet

Additional licensing

From 19 September 2011, the Council will be operating an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme. Additional Licensing is a discretionary power that Councils may decide to apply to a particular type of HMO that is not already covered by mandatory licensing, where it can be demonstrated that there is a particular need to improve housing conditions in such properties.

Additional HMO Licensing will apply to all HMOs that are situated in Castle, Gensing, Braybrooke and Central St Leonards wards, except those already covered by mandatory licensing. This will include properties that are:

Occupied by 3 or more persons who form more than one household and who share an amenity such as kitchen, bathroom or toilet
Buildings converted into self contained flats, where the conversion does not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations (or later) and less than 2 thirds of the flats are owner occupied

Selective licensing of other residential accommodation

Properties that are not subject to HMO licensing could be covered under a selective licensing scheme. This is where the Council may declare that certain areas, for example, where there is low demand for housing and/or antisocial behaviour, are appropriate for selective licensing. Hastings Borough Council does not currently operate any selective licensing schemes.