HMO pre-check for deal sourcers. Uses simple occupancy inputs to flag whether mandatory HMO licensing is likely, then tracks evidence for council checks, room sizes, facilities, fire safety, Article 4/planning, certificates, and room-rent proof. Use it as a quick screen before saving live deals in the Deal Pipeline.
HMO licence and evidence pre-check
HMO pre-check for deal sourcers. Uses simple occupancy inputs to flag whether mandatory HMO licensing is likely, then tracks evidence for council checks, room sizes, facilities, fire safety, Article 4/planning, certificates, and room-rent proof. Use it as a quick screen before saving live deals in the Deal Pipeline.
Calculation formula and denominator
National threshold and local evidence are separate: the result records whether mandatory licensing is indicated, then whether council licensing and planning evidence has been checked.
How to Use This Checklist
- Enter planned occupants, households, shared facilities, and rent-paid assumptions.
- Read whether the simple inputs suggest a mandatory HMO licence is likely, an HMO definition is likely, or a council check remains required.
- Check the local council licensing page for additional or selective licensing.
- Collect room-size, amenity, fire safety, Article 4/planning, certificate, and room-rent evidence.
- Disclose unresolved licensing or planning risk before sending the investor pack.
Worked example
Five occupiers from two or more households indicates mandatory licensing in England; a three-person HMO may still need a licence under a council additional scheme.
Method and sources
Reviewed: 26 August 2026
- Confirm occupiers and households.
- Check the council’s current licensing register or scheme.
- Check planning use and Article 4 separately.
Sources
Assumptions and limitations
- A “not identified” result is not proof that no licence or permission is needed.
- Council boundaries, schemes and planning controls change.
