Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

A house in multiple occupancy (HMO) is a property rented to at least three people who are not from the same ‘household’ (e.g. family).

There are different types of HMO properties: those which share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen; self-contained flats, and those which include a mixture of shared and self-contained units.

A HMO that falls under the Mandatory Licensing Scheme must have a licence if: 

• it has three or more storeys AND
• there are five or more tenants living there AND 
• they form more than one household 
• with or without shared facilities (bathroom and kitchen)

Under our Additional Licensing Scheme, a HMO property must have a licence if: 

• there are three or more tenants living there AND 
• they form more than one household, with or without shared facilities (bathroom and kitchen)  
• they form more than one fully self-contained household, but do not meet the 1991 Building Regulations AND where less than two-thirds of the self-contained flats are owner occupied.

How to apply for a HMO licence

It is the responsibility of the landlord or manager of the property to apply for a HMO licence.

Before you complete the application, please read the guidance notes.

Houses in Multiple Occupation licence application guidance (PDF, 330KB)

To apply for a HMO licence, please download and complete an application form and return it to the address on the form. 

Houses in Multiple Occupation licence application form (PDF, 602KB)

A HMO licence is valid for up to 5 years. You will need to apply for a new licence at the end of this period.

How much does it cost?

Licences last for 5 years and costs are based on the number of storeys a building has and the number of habitable rooms inside it. A habitable room would be bedsit, separate living room or bedroom.

A basic fee of £890 is worked out on the cost for 5 habitable rooms in a building of 3 or more storeys.

There is an additional charge of £35 for each habitable room for properties that have between 6 and 10 habitable rooms. 

For properties with 11 or more habitable rooms, there is an additional charge of £40 for the 11th habitable room and above.

The HMO licensing fees are as follows:

Example cost break-down

A 3 storey property with 5 habitable rooms with a fee of £890 for five years will cost:

• £178 per habitable room for 5 years
• £35.60 per habitable room a year
• 68.5 pence a week for each habitable room

Additional discounts available on first application

There is a £200 discount if a fully completed application is received within 8 weeks of being notified of the licensing requirement. This applies for both new and renewal applications.

Charitable organisations only pay 50% of the original fee.

Where a HMO is being operated without the required planning permission, then we will only issue the HMO licence for 1 year rather than 5. The cost of a 1 year licence will be 75% of the amount shown in the HMO fees table.

Change of HMO ownership

Licenses are not transferable to another person or property and fees are not refundable. If the property were sold on as a HMO, the new landlord will need to apply for a new licence, the fee structure remains unchanged in such circumstances.

Payment methods

Payment can be made either in full at the application stage, or by two instalments:

• instalment 1: 50% of the fee to be paid on application 
• instalment 2: the remaining 50% of the fee to be paid once the Property Licence has been granted.

Examples of fee calculations

The following are examples of how HMO fees are calculated:

1. Application for a 3 storey property with 5 habitable rooms:
   • Five year licence fee: £890
   • Discount for submitting full application within 8 weeks of notice: £200
   • Total fee payable: £690
2. Application by a charitable organisation for a 3 storey property with 20 habitable rooms:
   • Five year licence fee: £1,415
   • 50% discount for charitable organisations: £707.50
   • Total fee payable: £707.50
3. Application for a 2 storey property with 9 habitable rooms, but without required Planning Permission to operate as a HMO
   • 1 year only licence fee: £830 at 75% of full cost = £622.50
   • Discount for submitting full application within 8 weeks of notice: £200
   • Total fee payable: £442.50

How to Pay

Over the phone

You can pay over the phone with a credit or debit card by contacting Finance on 01824 706417. Please quote 3479-40142 (Additional Licence), or 3479-40091 (Mandatory Licence) and the property address.

BACS transfer

Payment can also be made by a BACS transfer using the following details:

• Account number: 22837469
• Sort Code: 54-41-06

To ensure the payment reaches our account, you must provide the following information in the BACS reference field:

• Cost code - 3479-40142 (Additional Licence), or 3479-40091 (Mandatory Licence)
• Postcode

Please notify us when you have made a payment by calling 01824 706389 or emailing envhealth@denbighshire.gov.uk.

HMO standards

Our Housing Enforcement Team are responsible for enforcing HMO standards. If you live in a HMO and feel there are any unreasonable hazards which your private landlord is not dealing with, please report it.

HMO licensing register

We keep a public register of all the properties in Denbighshire which are listed as houses in multiple occupancy. 

Houses in Multiple Occupation licensing register (PDF, 86KB)

If you have any enquiries about a property which has been licensed, or a property that you feel should be licensed and is not, please contact us.

Related documents

Houses in Multiple Occupation licence conditions (PDF, 661KB)