What counts as an HMO?
A House in Multiple Occupation is a property rented by three or more tenants who form two or more separate households and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. If the property has five or more tenants from two or more households, it requires a mandatory HMO licence from the local authority.
Many local authorities also run additional licensing schemes that capture smaller HMOs. We check the licensing position as part of our process and only approach lenders who are comfortable with the specific setup.
Types of HMO we finance
Rental calculations
HMO lenders assess rental income room by room. The combined room rents need to cover the mortgage payment by 125% to 145%, depending on the lender and your tax position. Because room rents are higher per square foot than single-let rents, HMOs typically pass affordability tests more comfortably than standard buy to let properties.
