From the 1st October 2018, the rules around HMO licensing have changed.

If your property is a HMO you may need a licence to rent it out regardless of how many storeys the property has.

A landlord must have a licence for a HMO if the property being rented out, and:

• Is occupied by five or more people;

• Those people form two or more households;

• The tenants share some amenities like the kitchen, toilet or bathroom.

Purpose built apartment blocks consisting of three or more apartments will not require a licence.

Failure for owners to apply for a HMO license could result in prosecution, a criminal record, and a fine of up to £20,000, and other sanctions such as Rent Repayment orders or Management Orders. A Rent Repayment Order means an owner may have to repay the rent for the time the property is unlicensed.

For more information and for details of how to apply for a HMO licence please go to the Council webpage: Application for HMO Licence & Fee for HMO’s (see link in box to the right side of the page).

A HMO licence is usually valid for five years. A HMO licence will be needed for each property and is not transferable.

Burnley Council’s Selective Licensing Scheme

The Council currently operates a Selective Licensing scheme in a number of areas within the Borough. If you rent out a non-licensable HMO please check with the Council’s Selective Licensing Team as you may need to apply for a selective licence. For more information click on the following link.

Article 4 Direction and Additional HMO licensing

In the Borough of Burnley, there is no Article 4 Direction for changing the use of your property, or additional HMO licensing scheme.