HMO Management

Rent Out Your Property to Multiple Tenants with Our HMO Letting Service in Bristol

With more single professionals and students in Bristol than ever, the demand for HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) vacancies is rising. Perhaps, you have a perfect flat share opportunity near the city centre? Maybe you want to list a five-bedroom house with exceptional communal facilities for students? No matter the property, we can help with our comprehensive Houses in Multiple Occupation letting services.

At Lets Rent Bristol, we know the HMO and student letting market inside out. Using our decades of experience, we’ll ensure that your property:

A Bristol property is a house in multiple occupation (hmo) if both of the following apply:

1. There are at least 3 tenants living at the property forming more than 1 household (ie. they are not a family or couple forming a single household)
2. There are shared facilities eg. toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities

Many student properties for rent, for example, count as HMOs. According to The Housing Act of 2004, property is subject to mandatory licensing if it is occupied by 5 or more people living in 2 or more separate households.

If you don’t follow the rules for a house or flat in multiple occupation, you could be fined up to £20,000 so let us take care of it for you and ensure you are letting your property on the correct side of the law! This is both in terms of the license you need and the type of features you should supply, and your responsibilities in terms of fire safety and gas safety certificates.

Houses of Multiple Occupancy, particularly large HMOs, are a lot more work to take care of than smaller residential rental properties, and there are more rules in place concerning aspects such as health and safety. This is why so many Houses in Multiple Occupation landlords leave the management to us.

What is HMO management?

HMO management is when a property manager handles a house of multiple occupation on behalf of a landlord. A common example of this is a student property with tenants from several households. HMOs must hold licenses and meet different standards than other rental properties, so it can be useful to pay for HMO management so an expert can deal with this for you.

Do I need a HMO licence for 3 tenants?

You will probably require a HMO licence if you let to 3 tenants who are from 2 or more households. If all three tenants are part of the same household (such as a family unit) you do not need a HMO licence,

Do I Need Planning Permission for a House in Multiple Occupation in Bristol?

This depends the area of Bristol the property is in. According to the Bristol City Council, areas which do require planning permission to turn a “dwelling house” into any size of HMO include: Clifton West and East, Redland, Cabot, Cotham, Lawrence Hill, Avonmouth Village, North Bristol, South Bristol, and East Bristol (find out the boundaries of these areas here).

The South Gloustershire Council are also currently considering proposals for similar legislation in areas including Filton and Horfield

While in many places in the country, these conversions are covered by permitted development rights, these areas are covered by Article 4 directions from the City Council to avoid too large a number of HMO properties being created.

Can Neighbours reject HMO?

Neighbours do not get a say over HMO licensing. However, if the HMO requires planning permission, neighbours can object through the normal planning consultation process. The council will then take these objections into account when deciding if the owners will be granted permission.

Do I need an HMO licence in Bristol?

In Bristol, there are three different types of license that may apply to your property depending on whether you have a small or Bristol HMO and where it’s based. All HMOs with at least 5 people from 2 different households require a mandatory license.

Houses of Multiple Occupation in Central Bristol (including areas such as Easton, Southville, and Lawrence Hill) require enrollment in an Additional Licensing Scheme. In Bedminster, Horfield, and parts of Brislington, HMO properties that would not otherwise come under mandatory Licensing require Selective Licensing.