When does an HMO need a licence in Bath and North East Somerset?

Nationally, a property let to 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households and sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet must hold a mandatory HMO licence — this applies in Bath and North East Somerset as in every English council. Some councils also run additional or selective schemes covering smaller HMOs; none are in our records for Bath and North East Somerset, but verify with the council as schemes change.

What are the minimum room sizes for a licensed HMO?

A mandatory HMO licence enforces national minimum sleeping-room floor areas: 6.51 m² for one person over 10, 10.22 m² for two people over 10, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10. A room below 4.64 m² cannot be used for sleeping. These are national statute and apply in Bath and North East Somerset.

Bath and North East Somerset · HMO Licensing

HMO Licensing in Bath and North East Somerset

Mandatory licence threshold, local schemes in our records, and statutory minimum room sizes. Verify with the council before relying on it.

Mandatory HMO licence

5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households. Any HMO occupied by five or more people making up two or more separate households (sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet) must hold a mandatory HMO licence. This applies in every council in England, regardless of the number of storeys. In force since 1 October 2018. Apply for a licence via GOV.UK.

Additional & selective licensing in Bath and North East Somerset

No additional or selective HMO licensing schemes in our records for Bath and North East Somerset. This is not confirmation that none apply — councils introduce and renew schemes regularly. Check current designations with the council or the GOV.UK licence finder ↗ before relying on it.

Do you need planning permission?

No HMO Article 4 direction in our records for this borough. Where no direction applies, converting a home to a small HMO (C4, up to six occupants) is usually permitted development — but coverage can be incomplete, so verify with the council before relying on this. Check Article 4 directions in Bath and North East Somerset before assuming permitted development applies.

Minimum sleeping-room sizes

National statute a mandatory licence must enforce (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions of Licences) (England) Regulations 2018):

One person aged over 10	6.51 m²
Two people aged over 10	10.22 m²
One person aged under 10	4.64 m²
Any sleeping room	≥ 4.64 m²

Licensed HMOs must provide adequate, well-located cooking, washing and toilet facilities for the number of occupants, plus safe gas/electrics, working fire detection and proper waste storage. The exact ratios (occupants per bathroom, per WC, kitchen size) are set by each council in its own HMO amenity standards — confirm the figures with the borough before committing to a scheme.