Harrogate Borough Council
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HMO Licensing
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing
Since 6 April 2006 all landlords and property managing agents who let large houses in multiple occupation needed to apply for an HMO licence. Those who have not applied for a licence may face fines of up to £20,000, a criminal record and potentially, rent repayment orders.
In Harrogate District, properties of three or more floors, with five or more tenants belonging to two or more households are required by law to be licensed in situations where some or all amenities are shared.
We will grant you a licence if we are satisfied that:
- the proposed licence holder (which can be the landlord or managing agent) are 'fit and proper' people
- the property and the tenancy are managed appropriately
- the accommodation meets all minimum standards such as sufficient number of toilets, kitchens and bathrooms for the number of residents
- Licences may be issued with certain conditions attached.
The 'Standard' licence fee for properties in the Harrogate District is £330 and is based upon a five bedroom/household property.
The number of households in a property, for the purposes of licensing, is equal to either:
- The number of bedrooms in a shared house/flat
- The number of bedsitting rooms in a property split into bedsit accommodation
- The number of units of accommodation where a property is a mixture of self-contained, bedsit and/or shared accommodation.