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 national scheme that has been in effect across the borough since April 2006.

This scheme covers 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 that will come into effect on 1 September 2020.

This scheme covers 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

This also includes any HMO not covered by the mandatory HMO licensing requirements.

Property licence register

You can view the register of all licenced properties within Enfield by visiting the Property Licence Register.

Before applying for a licence, you will need the following information before completing 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)
• Certificates (such as gas safety and electrical)
• 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.

The most appropriate person to apply as the licence holder is the property owner, the person in receipt of the rent. 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

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

If the proposed licence holder is a letting or managing agent, 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. The agent must also be a member of the Redress scheme.

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.

Applications from a limited company are required to provide:

• Name of company director
• Full company name
• Registered address
• Registration number

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

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 to provide. It is important the email address and contact numbers you provide in your application are correct and up to date.

All 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 all necessary documentation. You will need to create a new user account before you can make a licence application.

Who can make a licence application

You should make sure you are 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.

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 management agent, the licence holder should ensure:

• the agent is fully aware and compliant with the licence conditions
• there are satisfactory management arrangements in place
• a signed declaration is in place to confirm this

This should form part of the management agreement between the owner and the letting or managing agent.

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.

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

An employee of a company can’t be the licence holder – the licence will be in the company name. Applications will only be accepted from companies with a UK registered office.

Licence fees

Mandatory HMO fees

The fee for a mandatory HMO licence with up to five lettable rooms is £1,100.

Part 1 is £660 and is due when the application is made. Part 2 is £440 and is payable when the licence is granted.

£125 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 renew your HMO licence online. You will need to send us a valid application at least one month 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 view the restricted register by visiting HMO License Register. We can send you a copy of the full register for a fee of £123.20, or you can view it free by contacting our main offices. If you want to request a copy or make an appointment to view the register, email hmolicensing@enfield.gov.uk.