Houses in multiple occupation

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a building, or part of a building, that is being lived in by a group of people.

For example:

• A house or flat converted into three or more bedsits
• A house or flat occupied by three or more friends, work colleagues or students
• A house that has self-contained flats where less than two thirds of the flats are owner-occupied. The flats were not converted in accordance with the 1991 Building Regulations

Help, information and guidance

We have put together a handbook for landlords about HMOs

It contains information about:

• licenses
• fire safety
• space standards
• planning applications
• what should be expected from a landlord and a tenant

Licensing

All HMOs occupied by five or more people need a licence.  It is an offence to operate without a licence.

The fee for a licence is £564.76.

You can apply for a licence by downloading the form below:

• Application for an HMO licence (Word version)
• Application for an HMO licence (Alternative PDF version)

Once the form is complete, email the Private Sector Housing Team or send it to:

We publish a register of licenses issued:

• Register of Mandatory Licences for Babergh (Excel spreadsheet version)
• Register of Mandatory Licences for Babergh (Alternative PDF version)
• Register of Mandatory Licences for Mid Suffolk (Excel spreadsheet version)
• Register of Mandatory Licences for Mid Suffolk (Alternative PDF version)