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Criteria for house in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing

If you own or manage a house in multiple occupation (HMO) you may need a licence for the property. It is a criminal offence to operate a licensable HMO without a licence. Landlords who are caught can be heavily fined by the courts.

All HMOs with five or more occupants are subject to mandatory HMO licensing. Your property qualifies as a mandatory HMO if:

  • At least five occupants live there, forming more than one household
  • The occupants share a toilet, bathroom, or kitchen facilities

If you own or manage a purpose-built flat with five or more occupants situated in a block comprising three or more self-contained flats, it it is not subject to mandatory licensing.

Additional HMO licensing

A new Additional HMO licensing scheme will be coming into effect on 1 October 2025. The new designation requires all smaller HMOs (those with less than five occupants) and HMOs within purpose-built accommodation blocks, in the following nine wards to be licensed:

  • Banister and Polygon
  • Bargate
  • Bassett
  • Bevois
  • Freemantle
  • Millbrook
  • Portswood
  • Shirley
  • Swaythling

See the designation notice.

All properties that meet the criteria for HMO licensing under this designation must apply for a licence. You must apply for this licence within three months of the start of the scheme, that being 1 October 2025. Failure to submit an application during this period will result in a higher licence fee. It may also result in possible enforcement action. Enforcement action which may include civil penalty fines and prosecution.

Licence lengths

Licences are normally valid for a period of five years. We may issue a licence for a shorter length of time if there have been:

  • Management deficiencies
  • Delays on returning application paperwork
  • The need for works to be carried out to put the HMO into a satisfactory condition
  • Concerns as to the fit and proper status of relevant people

We discuss any concerns with applicants before we reduce the licence term.

How to apply for a licence

If your property qualifies as a mandatory HMO, see how to apply for an HMO licence. You can also check if your property needs a HMO licence on that page.

For qualifying HMOs situated in purpose-built blocks, you must apply using this downloadable form.

See also our HMO licence fees.

Additional HMO licensing

We are planning to designate a new additional HMO licensing scheme in Southampton in 2025. Please keep an eye out for updates.

Contact details

For more information, please read our HMO frequently asked questions.

You can also contact us.