Dodging the HMO (Homeshare)

learned_one

Hello,

My friends and I were looking to get a flat together (we're 4 non related friends) and the property we really like doesn't have a HMO licence. The agency however suggest that two of us sign the tenancy agreement and then do something called a "Home Share" for the other two friends.

In my eyes, this amounts to sub-letting, which the agency won't allow as per the tenancy agreement. We're concerned that if we moved in under a house share arrangement then two of us could be kicked out or the named folk on the tenancy agreement would be liable for all the breach of HMO licence charges and not the landlord.

Maybe I'm wrong?

If anyone has any experience or advice it would be much appreciated!

Fire_Fox

Tell the landlord his agent is trying to get him a massive fine from the council, then find a house that does have all the required permissions. However you dress it up you will be four unrelated people living in one house, dodgy paperwork does not trump the regulations.

If you really want to pursue this house speak to the council (?Planning?) about exactly what the HMO rules are, take the full name of the person you spoke to and ask them to e-mail confirming what they said.

N79

Since the living arrangements you propose will create an HMO, you need to rent an HMO or find a LL willing to apply for an HMO licence for the property you wish to reside in (most won't be willing as it will require them to change the fabric of the property if it is normally let as a family home).

You need to restrict your search to suitable properties really.....