About HMOs
A House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) is a type of property shared by at least three tenants who are not from one household and share living spaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms.
Types of property considered an HMO are:
- A house (or flat) which is let to three or more people, who form two or more households, and who share a basic amenity (e.g. a bathroom, toilet, or cooking facilities).
- A building which has been converted entirely into bedsits, or other non-self-contained accommodation, and is let to three or more people, who form two or more households, and who share a basic amenity (e.g. a bathroom, toilet, or cooking facilities).
- A converted house which contains one or more flats, that are not wholly self-contained (i.e. the flat does not contain within it a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet) and which is occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households.
- A building which is converted entirely into self-contained flats and the standard of the conversion does not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations, and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies.
Certain HMOs require a licence to operate. Find out which HMOs need an HMO licence.
HMOs must also reach a certain standard. Read about HMO standards.
Converting your property into an HMO
There are specific planning rules in force within the borough that may affect whether you need planning permission to operate an HMO. For example, you will need planning permission to change a family house into an HMO.
View information about Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) for HMOs.
Contact us about HMOs
If you have any questions about HMOs, contact the Housing Standards Team by sending an email to housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
You can also reach the team by post at: Regulatory Services, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0TH.