Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire
Herefordshire Council
84 Whitecross Road
Hereford
HR4 0DH
Office Tel No: 01432 260500
Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk
HMO Licence Application Forms
HMO Licence Fees Sheet
Herefordshire Council HMO licence conditions
Herefordshire Council amenity provisions for the number of persons in a HMO
Herefordshire Council standard diversity monitoring formIf you need help to understand a document, or would like it in another format or language, please call 01432 260500 or email info@herefordshire.gov.uk
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Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Licence
Do I need a HMO Licence?
The Housing Act 2004 brought licensing in for certain categories of HMO. Herefordshire Council has a duty to operate mandatory licensing for HMOs comprising of three or more story's and occupied by five or more persons.
How do I get a HMO Licence?
You can download the forms from the resource box or contact the Private Sector Housing for a HMO licence application pack. Landlords will have to pay a fee to cover the administration costs of the licence procedure. The cost of licensing in Herefordshire is detailed in the fees sheet that can also be found in the resource box.
Please refer to the following table:
| Licence summary | If you rent out a property for house in multiple occupancy (HMO), you may require a licence from your local authority. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Applications must be made to the local housing authority. A fee may be charged. You must be a fit and proper person to hold the licence. |
| Application Evaluation Process | Licences will be granted if:
|
| Will Tacit Consent Apply? | No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us after 62 calendar days, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below. |
| Apply online | |
| Failed Application Redress | Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see contact details box on the right of the page. You may appeal to a residential property tribunal. Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made. |
| Licence Holder Redress | Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see contact details box on the right of the page. You may appeal to a residential property tribunal regarding conditions attached to a licence or any decision to vary or revoke a licence. Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made. |
| Consumer Complaint | If a licence is granted and you wish to appeal against it being granted you may do so to a residential property tribunal within 28 days of the decision being made. |
| Other Redress | E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder complain about another. |
| Trade Associations |
Will there be any conditions on the licence?
Anyone who owns or manages a HMO that must be licensed has to apply to the Council for a licence. The Council must give a licence if it is satisfied that:
- the HMO is reasonably suitable for occupation by the number of people allowed under the licence
- the proposed licence holder is a fit and proper person
- the proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
- the proposed manager, if there is one, is a "fit and proper person"
- the proposed management arrangements are satisfactory
- the person involved in the management of the HMO is competent
- the financial structures for the management are suitable
A HMO licence will only be valid for one property at a time and for a maximum period of 5 years. If you have more that one property an additional licence will be required.
What happens if I don't licence my HMO?
In common with many other local authorities, applications have failed to reach our original estimates. Landlords should be aware that we are able to determine which houses are likely to require licensing from the information we already possess. Landlords who have failed to apply for a licence will be at risk of:
- Prosecutions with fines up to £20,000 (one landlord in Hereford recently had a £8,000 fine plus costs)
- Losing rent through possible rent repayment orders (One landlord was fined and had to pay half his rent money back to the tenants)
- Problems getting possession of properties due to the non-availability of Section 21 notices under the Housing Act 1988
Our preference is always to work with landlords and to offer help and encouragement whenever we can. We appreciate the efforts and interest of landlords who have already submitted their applications. We would encourage landlords who need licensing for their houses but have so far not applied, to do so now. If we have to search landlords out, the cost of a licence increases and the likelihood of prosecution will be that much greater, especially for landlords who do not declare their full portfolio of licensable properties.
Public Register of HMO Licences
To view the public register of HMO licences please contact Private Sector Housing.
End of Scheme Notice
Herefordshire Additional HMO Licensing SchemeIf you need help to understand a document, or would like it in another format or language, please call 01432 260500 or email info@herefordshire.gov.uk
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