1 households or 2? - additional HMO license

anselld

steban wrote: »

You're right, apparently this has been a requirement at my council since 2017. Unfortunately it never even crossed my mind that I might be operating an HMO! If my house is indeed an HMO, I'm already breaking the law and need to rectify that before I'm caught out.



I have checked with the council specifically in relation to my property and unfortunately, this is the list of requirements that I got from them for an additional license (apart from the £500 fee) -

Fair enough, a bit draconian.

Interestingly the LACORS guidance states that smoke seals should not be fitted in an LD2 coverage system as they delay detection by the alarms in the escape route.

anselld

Comms69 wrote: »

No it's either or:


It is occupied by five or more persons;
is occupied by persons living in two or more separate households; and
meets—

• the standard test under section 254(2) of the Act;
• the self-contained flat test under section 254(3) of the Act but is not a purpose-built flat situated in a block comprising three or more self-contained flats; or
• the converted building test under section 254(4) of the Act.

This is the October change ...
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/houses-in-multiple-occupation-and-residential-property-licensing-reform-guidance-for-local-housing-authorities

It only affects HMOs of 5+ occupants.

It is nothing to do with the OP (Additional Licensing).

steban

Update - I've received replies from 4 London councils (not mine yet!) and all of them have confirmed that this would be one household and hence does not need an Additional HMO license.

My tenants have said they will send me copies of their and their mums' (who are sisters) birth certificates for the 2 who they say are first cousins.

Assuming they give me enough to cover my back, I'll leave things as they are. Happy days!