Before you apply for a House in Multiple Occupation licence
Before you apply, you must make sure
- your property is reasonably suitable for occupation
- you have the supporting documents required
Apply for a new licence or renew an existing licence
A HMO licence is valid for up to three years and is subject to you meeting our:
- licensing conditions
- housing standards requirements
If you rent out more than one HMO, you will need a separate licence for each property. This includes a building where there are a number of self-contained flats.
Fill out an application form to apply for a new property licence online for free.
You can also submit a paper application although there is an additional non-refundable fee of £45.90 plus VAT.
Important message about licence renewals
We have recently moved to a new platform called ‘Metastreet’ for licence applications. The historical data on our previous platform has not yet been migrated over, so when applying for a renewal, use the ‘new application’ tab. Future renewals will be available on the’ renew’ tab.
Additional licensing
If you own or manage a property anywhere in Luton and it is occupied by 5 or more people, forming two or more households, who share common amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, it is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and is required to be licensed now by the Housing Act 2004.
Find out more about additional licensing.
Uploading your documents
Your documents will need to be uploaded during the electronic application process. You must make sure that you have stored each document separately and in accordance with our electronic document guidance.
After you’ve applied
Once we have received your completed application and approved documents your licence will be processed.
We will send you an acknowledgement within 14 days. If you have not heard anything from us after 14 days, contact us.
Your licence will be issued once the application and all relevant supporting documentation has been submitted, the relevant payment has been made and the Council is satisfied as to the condition of the property. Generally we would expect this to take around 6 to 8 weeks, although could be longer during high demand periods.
Tacit approval is not automatically given to any application for a property licence. In the interest of public safety, each licence application must be given full consideration by the council before it can be approved.
If we refuse to grant a licence
We can refuse to grant a licence if your application does not comply with all relevant legislative requirements, for example:
- the property is too small for the number of proposed occupants
- there are insufficient facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms, for the number of occupants
- Inadequate fire precautions
- the management arrangements are not suitable
- the proposed licence holder and/or manager do not meet the fit and proper person test
How long the licence lasts
The licence will last for normally fibve years under the terms of the scheme, although we may issue a licence for a shorter period in certain circumstances for example. Where there is a delay in providing the requested information or documentation to support the application. Where we have discovered the property to be operating without a licence but should have been licensed.
If you sell your licensed property
You must let us know as soon as possible and tell us you want to revoke the licence. If not the licence will be still be in your name and you may be liable if the conditions are not complied with. The new owner must apply for a new licence in their own name
If you buy a licensed property
You must apply for a new licence in your own name If you grant a lease on the property to someone who operates the premises as a licensable property, they must apply for a new licence in their own name.
If the licence holder dies while the licence is in force
The licence ceases and the building will be treated as having a temporary exemption notice granted, for three months from the death.