When does an HMO need a licence in Newham?

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 Newham as in every English council. Newham also runs additional or selective licensing in our records, which can require licences for smaller HMOs — confirm current coverage with the council.

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 Newham.

Newham · HMO Licensing

HMO Licensing in Newham

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 Newham

Beyond the national mandatory licence, Newham has the following designations in our records. These can bring smaller HMOs (and, for selective licensing, single lets) into scope. Confirm current boundaries and dates with the council.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing — newham (active)

Do you need planning permission?

An Article 4 direction removes permitted development rights for small HMOs (C3→C4) across the whole borough in our records — converting a family home to a small HMO needs full planning permission here. Confirm whether your property falls within the designated area. See Article 4 directions in Newham for the specific designations.

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.