HMO licensing
Moving into a new home can be an exciting start to a new chapter in your life - but sometimes a stressful time for many too. Whether you are planning on moving into your first House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), or a new HMO, we hope this information will help you make an informed choice.
HMO licensing
The Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (link opens in new window) introduced a system of licensing and new provisions about standards of housing. The Northern Ireland Houses in Multiple Occupation (NIHMO) unit looks after this on behalf of all Northern Ireland councils.
By choosing to live in a licensed HMO, you will have peace of mind that the physical and safety standards have been checked for compliance. Your landlord has a duty to maintain the internal and external structure of the building, as well as the fixtures and fittings, during your tenancy.
Few properties are perfect, and some landlords are less willing to maintain their properties than others, so the NIHMO unit are here as a backup to help you during the term of the tenancy.
The landlord – tenant relationship is a two-way process, and you will need to help the landlord to maintain the property. You should allow them reasonable access to inspect and make repairs.
You also need to consider your co-occupants, immediate neighbours and the wider community.
Read more about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and licensing. You can email us at [email protected] for help and advice.
For independent housing advice, visit the Housing Rights website (link opens in new window).
