What is an HMO?

A house is an HMO (House in Multiple Occupancy) if it is the only or principal residence of three or more qualifying persons from three or more families. If so, it will be subject to mandatory licensing by your local authority.

Where the owner of a house live there and lets out rooms, the owner is not counted as a "qualifying person." Two people are considered members of the same family if they are married or live together as if they were married or if there is a family relationship such as parent and child, brother and sister, uncle, aunt, neice or nephew.

Do I need a licence?

Yes. It is a criminal offence to operate an HMO without a licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licencing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000.

What's the role of a Letting or Managing Agent with HMO properties?

If the day to day management of the property is handled by an agent or someone other than the owner, they will be names as a joint licence holder for the property. If the property is licences and there is a change of day to day manager the local authority must be informed and in Aberdeen there is a charge (currently £50) to make a change to the licence.

Further information can be obtained at: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/HousingAdvice/hmo/hoa_MultipleOccupancy.asp