Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a building or part of a building that is occupied by three or more people, forming more than one household.

Occupants of HMOs usually share one or more amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Mandatory HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing is a government scheme covering rented properties that:

• are occupied by five or more unrelated people who form more than one household
• share amenities, such as kitchens or bathrooms

Additional HMO licensing

Additional HMO licensing is a borough-wide scheme covering rented properties that:

• are occupied by three or four unrelated people who form more than one household
• are under one or more tenancies
• share amenities, such as kitchens or bathrooms

Property licence register

You can view the register of all licensed properties within Enfield by visiting the property licence register.

Before applying for a licence, you will need the following information to complete your application:

• Details of the licence holder, including name, address and date of birth
• Room sizes in square metres
• Number of bathrooms and kitchens
• Details about the property structure and safety equipment
• Floor plans
• Name and addresses of all people and organisations with an interest in the property (such as freeholders, leaseholders, managing agents and mortgage provider)
• Documents (gas safety certificate, electrical and fire safety documents, tenancy or licence agreement and Energy Performance Certificate)
• Payment card details

Fit and proper person

In order for a landlord, letting or management agent to be granted a private rented property licence, they will need to demonstrate they are a 'fit and proper' person. This will involve making a declaration to confirm their status regarding any criminal offences.

Failure to meet the fit and proper person test may result in an application for a licence being refused.

In deciding whether someone is fit and proper, we must consider:

• any offences involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence, drugs, or any offence listed in Schedule 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
• any unlawful discrimination on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins or disability
• any contravention of the law relating to housing or landlord and tenant law
• whether the person has a ‘banning order’ in force under section 16 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016
• if any person involved in the management of the property has a sufficient level of competence to be involved

We may also decide a person is not fit and proper due to association with other persons not considered fit and proper and where this would affect the management of a licensed property. The proposed licence holder and managing agent, if applicable, must also be able to demonstrate that satisfactory management and financial arrangements are in place for the property.

Applications from letting or managing agents, and non-UK residents

Who can make a licence application

You should make sure you're the appropriate person before applying for the licence. This is usually the property owner, the manager employed by the owner, or the person in receipt of the rent.

Proposed licence holder

The licence holder should have the power to:

• let and terminate tenancies
• access all parts of the premises (same as the owner)
• authorise repairs or maintenance

If the property is managed by someone other than the licence holder, such as a letting or managing agent, the licence holder should ensure:

• the agent is fully aware and compliant with the licence conditions
• there are satisfactory management arrangements and a signed declaration in place
• the agent is a member of the Redress scheme

A copy of the contract between the owner and the agent must be provided. This must include a declaration that the agent is fully aware and compliant with the licence conditions and there are satisfactory management arrangements in place.

Non-UK applicants

Applications for a property licence from a non-UK resident will only be considered valid if there is a managing agent based in the UK. The managing agent must agree to the conditions and obligations imposed in the licence conditions by signing a declaration.

Limited company application

Applications from a limited company need to provide:

• a full company name
• a registered address
• a registration number
• a name of the person who can be contacted about the licence

Applications will only be accepted from companies with a UK registered office.

HMO applications must be made online through the property licensing website.

The property licensing website - which you can access through phone, tablet and PC devices - allows you to make multiple licence applications, pay the licence fee and provide the necessary documentation. You will need to create a new user account before you can make a licence application.

For guidance on the application process and how to apply for a licence, view slides from our landlord forum (PDF).

Processing your application

We aim to process your application within 60 working days. If there is any information missing or more details are needed, we will contact you. It’s important the email address and contact numbers you provide in your application are correct and up to date.

Mandatory HMO fees

The fee for a mandatory HMO licence with up to five lettable rooms is £1,155.

Part 1 is £690 and is due when the application is made. Part 2 is £465 and is payable when the licence is granted.

£132 per additional lettable room is due thereafter.

Additional HMO fees

The fee for an additional licence is £900.

Part 1 is £550 and is due when the application is made. Part 2 is £350 and will be payable when the licence is granted.

Renewing an HMO licence

You must use the property licensing website to make your licence application. You will need to apply at least two months before the current licence expires, to allow time for checks to be made and an inspection to be carried out.

Variation of an HMO licence

You will need to use the property licensing website to request changes to an existing licence. This may include:

• a change in the property agent or company managing the house
• a change of address for the landlord
• a change in the occupancy level in the house

If you think that your property is exempt from the requirement of property licensing, contact the private rented sector licensing team by emailing prsh@enfield.gov.uk.

HMO public licence register

You can request the full register for a fee of £129.40, or a restricted register is available free of charge. You can email your request to PRSH@enfield.gov.uk.