What is an HMO?
A building is an HMO if all of the following apply:
- at least three tenants live there
- the tenants are not from one household
- the tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
A building is a large HMO if all of the following apply:
- at least five tenants live there
- the tenants are not from one household
- the tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
There are some other ways that a building or part of a building can be an HMO. You can read more about these in sections 254 – 259 of the Housing Act 2004.
New additional HMO licensing in Birmingham
Landlords will need a licence to rent out a smaller HMO (three or four tenants) from 5 June 2023. This is called ‘additional licensing.’
Read more about additional licensing for HMOs.
What is a household?
A household is either a single person or people from the same family who live together.
A family can mean people who are:
- married or living together – including people in same-sex relationships
- relatives including grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings or half-siblings
- step-parents and step-children
I’m a landlord – do I need a licence for my HMO?
You may need a licence if you are a landlord and you rent out an HMO.
We can help you with HMO licensing, including:
- helping you apply for a licence
- advising if there is a change in circumstances with your HMO
- helping you renew an HMO licence
I want to convert my property into an HMO
You must get planning permission before you convert a property into an HMO. Speak to the planning department before you start work.
Contact the planning department.
Page last updated: 29 March 2023
