Licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

The Council has created a leaflet that gives a summary of the things you need to do if you operate a HMO (PDF 4.91 MB).

The Watford Amenity and Space Guidance (PDF 527 kB) outlines the local standards applied by Watford Borough Council  for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The guide is designed to ensure that shared housing meets essential space, amenity, and facility requirements, ensuring a good standard of living for tenants.

The guide covers a variety of aspects, including:
• room sizes: minimum sizes for different types of accommodation
• amenities and facilities: standards for kitchens, bathrooms, heating, and other communal areas.

We apply this to all HMOs in Watford, whether licensable or not, to ensure all shared houses meet basic minimum levels.
The government has adopted national minimum space standards for rooms in HMOs used as ‘sleeping accommodation’ (1 October 18). However, local authorities have the flexibility to set their own standards for room sizes and amenities.

HMO Fire Safety Requirements

The Hertfordshire Fire Precautions Guide provides essential information about fire safety requirements for buildings, with a focus on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).The guide outlines varying levels of fire safety precautions needed based on the building's type and layout, emphasizing the importance of a protected means of escape in case of fire.

The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 government guidance emphasizes the importance of compliance to ensure tenant safety and building integrity. Not adhering to the regulations can lead to legal consequences and risk tenant well-being.

Buildings which are converted into flats without the right Building Control checks are a special type of HMO which have their own Management Regulations