HMOs provide affordable housing for many tenants.
The Housing Act 2004 provides a definition for several types of HMO ranging from a typical bedsit-type through to houses converted into two or more self-contained flats.
Within the Sevenoaks District, there are a number of properties that house three or more people who do not live as a single household and share facilities, usually a bathroom or kitchen. Such properties are HMOs and therefore required to meet basic requirements including fire precautions.
Visit the houses in multiple occupation pages on GOV.UK for more information
Renting your property as an HMO
All HMOs are required to meet minimum standards and responsibilities.
Properties are required to meet basic standards as set out in our Guidance to HMO amenity standards leaflet.
An HMO licence may also be required if a property meets very specific criteria, visit the houses in multiple occupation pages on GOV.UK for more information.
If you believe a property requires a licence, please contact us for further information and advice.
Making a licence application
Before applying for an HMO licence, please read our Guidance to HMO amenity standards as they explain the requirements you must comply with.
The licence fee depends upon the number of units of accommodation within the property. The HMO licence fees are:
- A new application for up to and including five units is £1,031.17 and £24.40 for each additional unit above five
- A renewal application is £1,031.17
- To increase the number of HMO occupiers is £102.50 per habitable room.
New or renewal HMO application fees will be split into two payments:
- Part A (application and processing) – Stage 1 Fee (£681.75)
- Part B (administration and enforcement of the scheme) – Stage 2 Fee (outstanding amount of the overall application fee cost)
The Stage 1 fee - This part of the fee covers the cost of processing an application up to the point that the Council decides whether or not to grant a licence, the fee must be paid at the time of the licence application submission
The Stage 2 fee - This part of the fee covers the cost of compliance checks, and other scheme enforcement costs. The request for payment of the second element of the licence fee will be issued with the draft licence, the fee must be paid within the timescales specified.
Varying your House in Multiple Occupation Licence
You can apply for a variation, or we can vary a licence if circumstances change after a licence has been issued. The reasons for requesting a variation can include:
- change your address or name (for example due to marriage or divorce)
- change the name of your manager if they are not the licence holder
- increase or decrease the number of occupiers
A variation cannot be granted for a change of licence holder, as licences are legally non-transferable. You will need to apply to revoke your current HMO licence, and a new application must be made and the full fee paid as specified above.
The cost to process a variation of a House in Multiple Occupation Licence
- Increase in the number of occupiers and/or households, through increasing the number of habitable rooms – An additional £102.50 per habitable room
- Change the name of your manager if they are not the licence holder – No charge
- Change of licence holders address – No charge
- Change of managers address – No charge
- Change/appointment of manager – No charge
- Change of name (marriage/divorce/deed poll) – No charge
- Change of amenities – No charge
To apply, renew or change an existing HMO licence, please contact our Private Sector Housing team on 01732 227000 or email psh@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
HMO public register
The Housing Act 2004 requires that we hold a public register of all registered HMOs.
Further information
How to rent: checklist for renting in England on GOV.UK
HMOs: a guide for landlords and managers on GOV.UK