The Royal Borough of Greenwich ran an Additional HMO (house in multiple occupation) Licensing scheme across the borough from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2022. We are now considering the option of a further scheme for the next five years, starting from summer 2023. 

What is Additional HMO Licensing?

A house in multiple occupation (known as an HMO) is a property occupied by multiple households or more than two unrelated people.  There is a national requirement under the Housing Act 2004, Mandatory HMO Licensing, which requires all owners and landlords to licence HMOs occupied by multiple households or five or more unrelated people, and section 257 HMOs which include blocks of flats that do not meet building regulations.

Additional HMO Licensing is a discretionary option under the Housing Act 2004 where local authorities require owners/landlords and managing agents to licence smaller HMOs occupied by three or four unrelated people or households.

An independent review of the previous Additional HMO Licensing scheme ran by Council was carried out in 2021. It was found to have been successful in improving conditions within HMOs and the general environment, with a reduction in anti-social behaviour and fly tipping. However, not all landlords licensed their properties and there remains a need to continue the scheme to secure wider compliance for residents across the borough. Read the full review.

Paper copies of this survey can be obtained by emailing private-rented-property-licensing@royalgreenwich.gov.uk