Living in a Shared Privately Rented House?
There are new rules which mean that some landlords who own large shared houses must get them licensed by the council.
Your landlord must get your home licensed if:
You live in a shared house which has:
- 3 or more floors (this will include attics and basements used for living in) and
- Shared amenities such as kitchen, bathroom, toilet, living room and
- there are 5 or more or more of you living in it and
- Members of more than one family
If all these apply to your home then you may be living in a House In Multiple Occupation - referred to as an HMO.
The aim of the licensing scheme is to protect tenants living in HMOs by ensuring that these properties are safe and properly managed. If landlords fail to license properties which fall under the new rules they can face fines and some could also be prevented from serving notice to quit on their tenants.
To find out whether your home is one of the properties which needs to be licensed you can contact at Durham County Council.
