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If you share your accommodation with people who aren't family members you may live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO). If you live in a HMO your landlord must carry out extra safety precautions.
What is a house in multiple occupation?
You live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if you live in a house or flat with at least two people who aren't members of your family. Family members are immediate relations including mother, father or sibling and extended relations including aunt, uncle, niece or nephew.
If you live under the same roof as your immediate or extended family members, it is likely that you don't live in a house in multiple occupation.
People who live in HMOs are covered by specific laws about safety. A HMO could be:
- a house split into separate bedsits,
- a house let as lodgings,
- a shared house or flat,
- a hostel,
- a bed and breakfast hotel which is not just for holidays,
- student halls,
- a care home.
It is not always easy to work out whether you live in a HMO. The rules about HMOs are complicated.
The easiest way to find out if you live in a HMO is to check with the Housing Executive's HMO offices.
However, you could still live in a HMO even if your landlord hasn't registered the property with the Housing Executive. If you're not sure if you live in a HMO, contact a local advice agency.
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Are there safety standards for a HMO?
If you live in a HMO the property must meet certain standards. The property must meet these standards even if it isn't registered with the Housing Executive.
There are rules about safety and the facilities your property should contain. There are also rules about how many people can live in the property.
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I live in a HMO but it doesn't meet the standards
You can complain to your local Housing Executive District Office. You can also complain to the  Environmental Health Department of your local council if your home is damaging your health.
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