HMO pre-licence advisory service
Apply for a HMO pre-licence inspection
If you own or would like to buy a property for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) it may require a licence.
For a fee of £262.21 plus VAT we will:
- inspect the property
- advise on HMO licensing requirements and process
- support with the application form
- provide a schedule of works and floor plan
If you are considering multiple options for the property (shared house/ bedsit accommodation) you will need additional schedule of work and floor plan. This will cost £327.60 plus VAT for two schedules and floor plans.
If you consider more than two options for the property an additional fee of £65.40 plus VAT for each additional layout proposal.
We will contact you to make an appointment to inspect the property and you will receive the schedule of works and floor plan within three weeks of the inspection.
Properties that require a license
Where tenants live as a group, with their own bedroom but sharing all other facilities including a communal living space.
Where occupiers share a bathroom, toilet and kitchen but otherwise live independently of others.
Tenants live in a self-contained unit, no shared facilities with one access door off a common area.
Where tenants live together as a group, each with exclusive use of a bedroom but sharing all other facilities, including a communal living space.
Occupiers have no other permanent place of residence within the UK, includes properties used by local councils to house homeless people.
A landlord living in the same building as three or more unrelated people.
HMO licensing relates to the number of unrelated people living in a property and is not affected by:
- joint tenancy agreements
- company let agreements
- council tax payee responsibility
- housing benefit claimants
- homeless
Tenants must be members of the same family, including married couples and including half relatives, step-children and foster children.
Rent Smart Wales
All rental properties have to be registered through Rent Smart Wales, private landlords need to apply for training and a licence.
More information can be found on the Rent Smart Wales website.
Planning and building control regulations
Properties converted to be HMO will need planning and possibly building regulations approval.
The property owner is responsible for ensuring that all necessary planning or building regulation approvals have been obtained.
The application for a pre-licence HMO inspection does not mean planning permission or building regulations is being applied for.
More information can be found on our planning and building control webpages.