Is this a HMO? 27 January at 5:56PM in House buying, renting & selling 14 replies 623 views

flyer

I have a 4 bed house and I rent rooms to the LA under a contract and they, in turn, use them for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. I do not rent directly to them and my income comes directly from the LA. Is this a HMO?

diystarter7

Hi
Have you asked the LA?
A bit odd children being allwed to live alone in a property.
Thanks

flyer

I haven't spoken to the LA as they are a nightmare to deal with!
Although they are called children, they are aged between 16 and 21

hazyjo

4 separate occupants? Unrelated? Sounds like an HMO if so, but hopefully someone can confirm. Also confused how children are living independently.

theartfullodger

It is a HMO - if landlord is private rather than local authority.

Who is named as landlord on agreements with occupants please??

It may or may not need a license.

flyer

theartfullodger said:

It is a HMO - if landlord is private rather than local authority.

Who is named as landlord on agreements with occupants please??

It may or may not need a license.

As I said, I have no contractual arrangement with the individual children, only a contract with the LA

flyer

The wording on Gov website is
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ 

But the point I'm making is I don't rent out to 3 people. I rent to the LA.

flyer

hazyjo said:

4 separate occupants? Unrelated? Sounds like an HMO if so, but hopefully someone can confirm. Also confused how children are living independently.

They're 16 to 21 and we support them.

diystarter7

Ok - look up the HMO spec for your LA it will clear tell you what is and whats not - were we live its more than 2 unrealted people
Thanks

diystarter7

flyer said:

I haven't spoken to the LA as they are a nightmare to deal with!
Although they are called children, they are aged between 16 and 21

Who looks after them? You get paid for rent or is it more than that?
What made you ask the question at this point?

theartfullodger

Be aware (quite possible LA doesn't understand..) that tenancies for "minors" (those under 18..) are tricky legally... see, from th experts...

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/housing_options/young_people_and_care_leavers_housing_rights/tenancies_for_children_and_young_people