Guidance for HMOs
Guidance Notes for Applciations for a Licence for a House in Mulitple Occupation
Before lodging your application for a licence for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) please ensure that you have read the following guidance notes.
- You should note that a licence for a House in Multiple Occupation will be required for living accommodation where there are 3 or more persons living together who are not all members of either the same family or of one or other of 2 families and who share one or more basic amenities such as a toilet, personal washing facilities or facilities for the preparation or provision of cooked food. An application for a Licence may only be made by the owner of the living accommodation.
Where a licensed House in Multiple Occupation has been purchased, it may remain licensed pending the determination of an application if an application has been made within one month of the date on which ownership of the property being transferred and the new owner is registered as a landlord. - Applications for a new Licence for a House in Multiple Occupation must be accompanied by four sets of plans of the premises to a scale of 1:50 showing:-
(a) Section of the building showing heights to each floor from ground level; and
(b) Floor plans providing the following information:-
(i) the layout and use of all rooms with details of all cooking/sanitary/washing facilities provided therein
(ii) the location of heat/smoke alarms or a smoke/heat detection system; and
(iii) the location of half hour self closing fire doors. NB: Plans are not required for applications in respect
of existing Licences as no changes should have been made to the living accommodation unless a
variation application has been approved by the Council. - Where the applicant is an individual, the whole of question 1 must be completed, and question 2 should be ignored.
- Where the applicant is a body (e.g. company or partnership), the whole of question 2 must be completed and question 1 should be ignored.
- Where the agent authorised to act on behalf of the applicant in relation to the occupation of the living accommodation is an individual, question 4 must be completed and question 5 should be ignored.
- Where the agent authorised to act on behalf of the applicant in relation to the occupation of the living accommodation is a body (e.g. company or partnership), question 5 must be completed and question 4 should be ignored.
- Where alterations are required to the layout of the living accommodation, it may be necessary to apply for a Building Warrant.
- The Statutory Public Notice (A4 size) must be completed and displayed on or near the living accommodation where it can be easily read by the passing public in the street for a period of 21 days starting on the day the application is lodged at the Licensing Section. NB: This does not apply to applications in relation to an application for an HMO Licence in respect of living accommodation where notice of the application would jeopardise the safety or welfare of any persons or the security of the living accommodation as defined in terms of Paragraph 3(1)(b) of Schedule 4 to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.
- The Certificate of Compliance must be completed and returned to the Licensing Section only after the 21 day notice period is over.
- Whilst processing the application, the Licensing Section will consult with the following:-
- HMO Unit,
- Neighourhood, Regeneration and Sustainability
- Police Scotland
- Scottish Fire & Rescue
- local Councillors
- local Community Council
- The lodging fees for applications, which are non-refundable and must be paid when the application is lodged, are as follows:-
Application Fees
Occupancy Level New (£) Existing (£)
Up to 10 persons 1,906 - 953
Between 11 and 100 persons 4,036 2,018
Between 101 and 200 persons 8,745 4,372
Between 201 and 300 persons 13,453 6,666
Between 301 and 400 persons 18,162 9,081
Between 401 and 500 persons 22,870 11,435
Between 501 and 600 persons 27,579 13,790
Between 601 and 700 persons 32,288 16,144
Variation of Licence
Occupancy Level Alterations (£) Change in occupant capacity (£)
Up to 10 persons 953 572
Between 11 and 100 persons 2,018 1,211
Between 101 and 200 persons 4,372 2,623
Between 201 and 300 persons 6,727 4,036
Between 301 and 400 persons 9,081 5,449
Between 401 and 500 persons 11,435 6,861
Between 501 and 600 persons 13,790 8,274
Between 601 and 700 persons 16,144 9,686 A copy of a written tenancy management agreement, current electrical installation and gas safety certificates in relation to the living accommodation will be required during the processing of the application. If the application is in respect of an existing Licence, the electrical installation and gas safety certificates for the previous 3 years will also be required.
- You should clarify the planning status of the living accommodation i.e. that the appropriate planning consent or certificate of lawful use is in place or that the living accommodation does not require such consent to operate as a House in Multiple Occupation.
- If you are unclear about any of the above please do not hesitate to ask a member of the Licensing Team for assistance or clarification. Phone No.0141 287 5354
- If you wish clarification on the Council Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation contact the HMO Unit, Neighbourhood, Regeneration and Sustainability Services on the following phone numbers:
- 0141 287 6533
- 0141 287 6535
- 0141 287 3690 or 0141 287 0405.
- If you wish clarification on fire safety matters contact your local Strathclyde Fire and Rescue fire station,
Note:
The Notice referred to in guidance note 8 above must be displayed in A4 format which is available at the Licensing Section at the address below.
City Centre Service Desk
City Chambers
George Square
Glasgow G1 1DU
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