Applications for licences should be completed online. Use the links below to apply for a HMO licence.

• New application
• Renewal Application

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a building, or part of a building such as a flat, which meets the following criteria:

• At least 3 tenants live there, forming two or more households and in which you share bathroom, toilet or kitchen facilities with other tenants.

• Occupied by more than one household and which is a converted building and does not entirely comprise self contained flats (whether or not there is also a sharing or lack of amenities)

• Comprises entirely of converted self contained flats and the standard of conversion does not meet, as a minimum, that required by the 1991 Building Regulations and at least one third of the flats are occupied under short tenancies
• It must also be occupied by more than one household as their only or main residence. This includes occupation:
  • as a refuge by persons escaping domestic violence
  • during term time by students
  • For some other purpose that is prescribed in regulations

There are different types of HMOs, such as bedsits (where the occupiers have their own bedroom and may share bathrooms and kitchens), shared houses, hostels and occasionally hotels and guest houses that provide accommodation for persons with no other permanent place of residence.

Section 258 of the Housing Act 2004 and The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006 provide a detailed description but broadly a household is any family group of related people or a single person or a couple who live together. Household staff are generally counted as forming part of the family for whom they work.  Students sharing a house do not form a household unless they are closely related.

Houses in multiple occupation at times can be poorly managed and in poor physical condition. The sharing of accommodation, bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and communal areas such as hallways, stairs and landings, at times, can lead to problems associated with:

• Inadequate toilet and personal washing facilities
• Inadequate food preparation facilities
• Overcrowding
• Dampness
• Inadequate heating and excessive cold
• Electrical hazards
• Inadequate fire safety

We use national and local standards to assess the seriousness of any shortage in these and other areas. We take action using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to deal with any other hazards that might present a risk to the occupiers.

There are specific amenity standards for licensable HMOs that recommend the maximum number of occupiers that may share toilets, washing facilities and cooking facilities. Additionally, there are management standards that apply to HMOs, The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 and The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006. A manager has a duty to ensure the property is maintained in a good condition, the water, gas and electricity supplies are maintained, the common areas are kept clean and in good repair, the living accommodation is maintained and arrangements are made for the storage of refuse. Residents are also required not to hamper or frustrate the manager from carrying out his/her responsibilities.

• Applications must be made to Winchester City Council.

• A fee is charged for the licence:

  • HMO Licensing Fee - £1155
  • Re-Licensing Fee - £911

     

    The fee is made up of an administration fee for the initial licence application and a fee to contribute to the management of the licensing scheme over the 5 years of the licence.

     

    The administration fee which must be paid on submission of your application is £495 for new licences and £251 for renewal licences. Administration fees are non-refundable in the event of a licence not being granted.

     

    The management element is £660 for a new application and £660 for renewing a licence. This will become payable when a licence is granted.

     

    You must be a fit and proper person to hold the licence.

No. It is in the public interest that Winchester Council must process your application before a licence can be granted. This is because the licence determines whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold the licence and whether the property is suitable to be multi-occupied.

However, after you have submitted your application for a licence you are able to operate a house in multiple occupation as if you have a licence until the Council has processed the application.

If you have not heard from Winchester City Council within 10 weeks, please contact Private Sector Housing section _privatesectorhousing@winchester.gov.uk

If you have been refused a licence you may appeal to the Residential Property Tribunal:

The First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
Residential Property,
Havant Justice Centre,
The Court House,
Elmleigh Road,
Havant, Hampshire
PO9 2AL

www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-property-chamber 
Telephone 01243 779 394
Fax 0870 7395 900
Any appeal must be made within 28 days of the decision being made.

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to the The First Tier Tribunal (details above).

If you have any questions relating to your issued licence, please contact the Private Housing Section:

Private Sector Housing
Winchester City Council
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LJ
Email: _privatesectorhousing@winchester.gov.uk