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HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION: A GUIDE FOR LANDLORDS
INTRODUCTION
Do you let shared accommodation? Or do you share your home with people who are not members of your family - friends or lodgers? If so, it may be a house in multiple occupation (HMO), and you may need a licence.
This book will tell you about the licensing system
- Part 1 will help you to work out whether your property is an HMO, and needs a licence.
- Part 2 will tell you how to apply and what it involves.
- Part 3 outlines the kind of standards you will need to meet to get a licence.
HMO licensing is run by local authorities. They work within a framework set out in law, and in guidance from the Scottish Executive, but each authority will have its own particular procedures. The standards required also vary according to local policies and the particular features of each property. This booklet can only give an overview of the framework. You will need to contact your local authority for their detailed requirements.
IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO OPERATE AN HMO WITHOUT HAVING A LICENCE.
Why do HMOs have to be licensed?
Licensing for all HMOs was introduced from October 2000 to improve standards in this type of rented housing, in terms of both physical accommodation and the management of tenancy issues. HMOs provide an important supply of housing, particularly for some groups of people, such as students, transient workers, and some people who need extra support in their daily lives. However, this also means that many HMO tenants may be inexperienced, have few housing choices or have difficulty expressing their views. This can make them vulnerable to exploitation. While the great majority of landlords want to provide good quality housing and have good relationships with their tenants, the HMO sector can be particularly attractive to a minority who may be interested only in profit with the minimum of effort. Scottish Ministers took the decision that all HMOs should be licensed, to make sure that they all provide acceptable standards and to root out exploitative landlords.
Note
This booklet is not intended to be a detailed guide to the law on HMO licensing or other legislation affecting private rented property. For more information you should contact your local authority. It is advisable to contact a solicitor before letting any property.
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