HMO Licensing: Your Path to Compliance and Profitability
We provide the most complete HMO service in the UK, guiding landlords through the essential process of obtaining and maintaining their House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences.
With over 500 HMOs under our management in the last 10 years, and several hundred more that we have successfully converted and licensed for our clients, our expertise is unparalleled.
We not only cover all aspects of HMO licensing – including Mandatory, Additional, and Selective schemes – and planning applications (such as Article 4 Directions and Sui Generis), but we can also plan and execute the conversion with all necessary works (like fire door and fire alarm system installations). We even offer full property management for a truly hands-off investment.
Beyond the Obligation: Strategic Licensing for ROI
While obtaining an HMO Licence is the fundamental core of what we do – a crucial legal obligation for operating an HMO – its value extends far beyond simple compliance. Merely securing a licence will not automatically increase your Return on Investment (ROI). We help you leverage the licensing process to strategically enhance your property’s value and profitability.
If you’re seeking to unlock greater potential from your HMO, we invite you to explore our related services: our Conversion with Space Optimisation service, comprehensive Full Management service, and expert Investment Advice service.
That said, we are absolute professionals in every aspect of the licensing process itself. Should you instruct us, we will visit your property to conduct a personal assessment, applying the same rigorous standards that local councils use for their evaluations, ensuring you are fully prepared.
HMO Licensing Application
Applying for a HMO licence can be a particularly stressful and onerous process with an application taking hours and hours, let alone the hassle of organising upgrades to your property.
Our mission is to take this stress away, let us do everything for you! Don’t be bamboozled by the bureaucracy and red tape. Our experienced team will organise everything for you, meaning you save your valuable time. Choose one of our HMO application packages below.
Call us now to book on 02039508834 .
HMO Compliance Advice and Fire Risk Assessment Package
- Full property inspection and provide a report on how best to make your property HMO compliant: £375+VAT
- Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) (a legal requirement for all HMO’s in the UK): £285+VAT
- Package price for inspection and FRA: £495+VAT
- Desktop assessment, an essential tool before deciding on a purchase of a property for HMO purposes: £265+VAT
The HMO Application Package
- We complete the HMO application on your behalf
- HMO Property Licence Application: £475+VAT
- HMO Property Licence Renewal: £375+VAT
- Package price for initial inspection and licence application: £595+VAT
- Package price for initial inspection and FRA and licence application: £745+VAT
- For a large HMO 6-10 bedrooms, plus £250+VAT to any service
For a large HMO 10+ bedrooms, plus £450+VAT to any service
Article 4 and Sui Generis (large HMO) planning application
- In case your property is in an Article 4 area or you want to have more than 6 tenants, apart from the HMO licence you will also need to apply to HMO planning permission. We always advise to take an Initial Plannig Survey.
- The initial planning advice will check against a series of criteria you must meet otherwise the council automatically refuse permission. We can undertake a desk based appraisal to ascertain whether there is merit in submitting an application (this is the IPS – Initial Planning Survey). If the scheme has merit then we can proceed to planning application. We would make sure that any work undertaken in the initial advice comes off the invoice for the planning application to avoid duplication of fees, this start from £845+VAT.
Complete Service Pack 1
- If you want that little bit extra than our full package, you can opt for premium! With this package we will liaise with the council through your HMO application process and even be present when the council comes to inspect so we can give you the best assistance possible.
- Those who take this package will receive a 10% discount on everything that we do!
- £2495+VAT – Premium Service
FRA (Fire Risk Assessment): £285 + VAT
FRA and council compliance check for non-licensable properties: £445 + VAT
Floor Plan: £125 + VAT
Installation costs: (Please make sure to check our Conversion site)
BS5389 Part 6 compliant Grade A/D1/D2, LD1/LD2 fire alarm systems professionally installed and maintained – We beat any quotes in the UK, free no-obligation quote is given with all of our packages.
Standard size fire door installed with all required fittings:
FD30 fire door from £425+VAT
FD60 fire door from £465+VAT
Made to measure fire doors from £545+VAT
Double fire doors (FD30) from £545+VAT
Double fire doors (FD60) from £595+VAT
Our Comprehensive Licensing Services
We offer a streamlined and effective approach to HMO licensing, ensuring your property is compliant and optimised.
Standard Licensing Package: What’s Included
Our core licensing services are all included in a £745 + VAT standard package price. (For details on other licensing prices and package options, please refer to our dedicated licensing options page.) For landlords who choose to instruct us for full property management, this licensing fee will be credited back to you.
Here’s what our standard package covers:
Expert HMO Compliance Advice
Understanding and adhering to complex HMO regulations can be daunting. We meticulously check and measure all bedrooms, living rooms, communal spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. We then provide expert advice on legal room sizes and the maximum number of tenants permissible for your specific HMO licence.
It’s crucial to understand that, for example, having six bedrooms does not automatically guarantee a licence for six tenants; the licence criteria are dependent on a number of interconnected factors. A professional assessment before applying for the licence is therefore essential. You will receive a full and comprehensive Report highlighting all important factors and advising on any necessary modifications to achieve the desired number of tenants on your licence.
Integrated Fire Risk Assessment
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a legal obligation for all HMOs across the UK. Our standard package includes this vital service, saving you the typical cost of £250 or more if you were to arrange it independently.
Tailored Fire Safety Recommendations
Based on our detailed Report and the Fire Risk Assessment, we will advise on all necessary fire safety works required to comply with the HMO licence. This includes guidance on fire doors with fittings, fire alarm systems with exact specifications, and any other required fireproofing. We can also provide highly competitive, no-obligation quotes for these works.
Seamless Licence Application & Grant Assistance
Navigating the local council’s HMO licensing application process can be complex, time-consuming, and prone to pitfalls if not handled correctly. We take the entire burden off your shoulders, providing comprehensive, end-to-end assistance from initial submission right through to the successful granting of your HMO licence.
Our dedicated team meticulously prepares and submits all necessary documentation on your behalf, ensuring every form is accurately completed and every required certificate is in order. We understand the specific nuances of each local authority’s requirements, helping to avoid common errors that can lead to delays or rejections.
The Different Types of HMO Licences
Understanding the various types of HMO licences is crucial for compliance. We guide you through each one:
Mandatory HMO Licensing
This is a national scheme applying to all HMOs rented to five or more people forming two or more separate households, who share toilet, bathroom, or kitchen facilities.
If your property meets these criteria, a Mandatory HMO Licence is legally required. It ensures minimum standards for property management, fire safety, and living conditions.
Additional HMO Licensing
Many local councils have introduced Additional Licensing schemes. These apply to HMOs that don’t fall under mandatory licensing but are still considered HMOs, typically those with three or four tenants sharing facilities.
These schemes are specific to certain boroughs or areas and are implemented by councils to address local housing issues, often focusing on improving management standards and safety in smaller HMOs.
Selective Licensing
Distinct from HMO-specific licences, Selective Licensing schemes are implemented by local authorities in designated areas. These schemes require all private landlords (not just HMOs) to obtain a licence if their property is rented out in a specified area.
Selective Licensing is typically introduced to tackle issues such as low housing demand, anti-social behaviour, or poor property conditions within an area.
Essential Planning Permissions for HMOs
Beyond licensing, certain HMO developments also require specific planning permission, especially in the UK. We provide expert assistance to navigate this complex area:
Article 4 Directions
In some areas, local councils have implemented Article 4 Directions. These remove certain “permitted development rights” that would otherwise allow conversion of a single dwelling (Use Class C3) into a small HMO (Use Class C4, typically 3-6 tenants) without formal planning permission. If your property is in an Article 4 area, you will need to apply for planning permission for such conversions. We help you understand these local nuances and prepare robust applications.
Sui Generis (Large HMO) Planning Permission
If you intend to accommodate seven or more tenants in your HMO, the property’s use class changes to Sui Generis (meaning “in a class of its own”). This classification always requires a full planning application, regardless of whether it’s in an Article 4 area. These applications are generally more complex, requiring detailed assessments on factors like parking, amenity space, and potential impact on the local area. We conduct an Initial Planning Survey (IPS) to research the property and the area, ensuring your application has the best chance of success. This includes a desk-based appraisal to ascertain the merit in submitting an application, potentially saving you thousands by avoiding applications for properties where planning permission would be refused. The cost of this service is £845 + VAT, and any work undertaken in the initial advice comes off the invoice for the planning application to avoid duplication of fees.
Unlock Your Property’s Full Potential
We pride ourselves on being the only company in the UK that provides this full spectrum of services, all designed to most likely increase your ROI.
Let HMO Licensing work with you to ensure your property becomes a thriving HMO.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our experts will assess your property, discuss your investment goals, and provide a tailored plan to maximise your return on investment.
