FTB Buying a four bed house renting out three of the rooms

getmore4less

00ec25 wrote: »

3. as there will be at least 4 unconnected persons living in the same property then it is a HMO, no question. However, (and assuming the house does not have a habitable basement or 3rd floor room) it is not big enough to require mandatory licencing (which is a criminal offence). Nonethless you must contact your council because they may operate a voluntary scheme whereby they will require you to comply with aspects of building regulations, especially re fire precauctions & alarms. You will also need to check out what the council's interpreation of the planning permission laws after April 2010 will be - read this thread

everything I have read says the following.

Occupied as main or only residence.

A Mon - Friday lodger would have a main residence elsewhere.

So why would they still be counted as an occupier under HMO.

clutton_2

HMO legislatoin is about making sure folks dont die in fires..... the HMO law specifies UNRELATED people for a reason -- unrelated folks are people who will not miss each other in a fire... related people will know who else is in the building... or not as the case may be

you also need to check if the area you are planning to buy in is subject to Selective Licensing.. under 2004 Act. (for Selective, read Compulsory)

ignoring HMO regs can get you a a £50k fine...

red40

getmore4less wrote: »

everything I have read says the following.

Occupied as main or only residence.

A Mon - Friday lodger would have a main residence elsewhere.

So why would they still be counted as an occupier under HMO.

Section 260 of the Housing Act 2004 clears this situation up.

There has to be significant use and staying 4 or 5 nights a week in rented accommodation would be deemed significant use.