Landlord insider

Whether a house in multiple occupation (HMO) requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) depends on how the property is occupied, not simply what the building is called. For many landlords, this creates understandable confusion. If you let an entire property to a group of sharers on a single contract, an EPC is legally required before […]

Running a house in multiple occupation (HMO) requires a very different approach from letting a standard buy-to-let property. While renting by the room can deliver higher gross rental income and buffer your cash flow against complete vacancy, it brings a heavier regulatory burden, stricter management duties, and more hands-on operational work. If you are an […]

Every landlord accepts that void periods happen. But when empty days start stacking up, the financial impact arrives quickly. According to Rushbrook & Rathbone data reported in August 2026, the average void period across England stood at 21 days. That was an improvement on the 24-day peak recorded in May, but still two days longer […]

“Am I liable for council tax on my HMO, or are my tenants?” It sounds like a simple question, but the answer depends on how the property is occupied. The 2023 rule change is sometimes summarised as “landlords now pay council tax on HMOs”, but that is too broad. In many room-by-room HMOs, the owner […]

Two houses can both be HMOs, both meet the same licensing rules, and still have completely different tenancy paperwork. One landlord might put every sharer on a single joint agreement. Another might give each tenant their own agreement for an individual room. Both approaches can work, but the choice affects who is responsible for the […]

A clear breakdown of HMO requirements for landlords in England, including licensing thresholds, room sizes, fire safety and planning rules.