Homes in multiple occupancy licence

All Scottish local authorities are required by law to have a licensing system for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The purpose is to increase the protection of HMO tenants and their neighbours by making sure accommodation is safe, well managed and of good quality. 

What is an HMO?

A simple definition of an HMO is a house or flat which is occupied by 3 or more unrelated persons. The term can apply to hostels, including student residences, bedsits and shared flats.

It is a criminal offence to operate an HMO without a licence and the maximum penalty is currently £20,000. An HMO property may not be lawfully occupied without a licence.

If you are a licensed HMO landlord you are automatically included in the landlords register.

How do you apply?

You must complete and application form and include a fee of £1300 for a new application or £500 for a renewal. We also need plans of your property and any relevant gas and electrical safety certificates. If you require any further advice regarding the HMO licensing scheme or the relevant standards, or to request an application pack, please contact the HMO Licensing on 01592 583162.  Applications should be returned to HMO Licensing , Fife Council, 3rd Floor Rothesay House, Rothesay Place, Glenrothes, KY7 5PQ.

After you apply for an HMO licence you must display the site notice, which is provided along with the application form, on or near your HMO property where it can be easily read for 21 days from the date of your licence application. You must return a copy of the notice with the certificate, to the HMO Licensing Team.

Any member of the public has a chance to object to the application and if we receive any objections they can be heard before the Council’s Licensing Committee.

We look at three main areas when you apply for an HMO license:

• your suitability to be an HMO landlord
• the management of the premises
• the physical condition and facilities of the accommodation.

Essential HMO licence documents

The completed application should be returned to HMO Licensing along with: 

1. the application fee as detailed in the form

2. a completed and signed application form

3. two sets of good quality plans of not less than a scale of 1.100

4. a current Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate.

5. a certificate of electrical installation in the format of the Periodic Inspection Report for an Electrical Installation, along with the test results, in conformity with BS7671: 2001 (Valid for 3 years from date of certificate).

6. a Certificate of inspection of electrical appliances provided by the landlord (Valid for 3 years from date of certificate).

7. an energy Performance Certificate (for new tenants after 04.01.09)

After you apply

When the application is processed and the fee paid, our Environmental Services and Fife Fire & Rescue Services jointly inspect the property.

They may make recommendations for work to be carried out to bring your property up to a certain standard. As soon as they are happy with your property we will grant you a licence.

Licences should be approved within 1 year of application & are granted for a 3 year period.

All applicants must obtain planning permission to change the use of a property to a house in multiple occupation (HMO). An HMO cannot be operated unless an applicant has both a HMO licence and planning permission. For additional information with regard to planning applications, please contact development services on 08451 55 11 22