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

Apply for 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

rating button