Do I Need To Register?

If you are a landlord, you will need to register your HMO on this scheme if any of the following apply:

• The HMO is within an action area
• The HMO is capable of occupation by more than 10 persons in certain District Council areas
• The HMO is one in respect of which a HMO grant has been approved on or after 1 May 2004.
• The HMO had a valid HMO Voluntary Licence on 1 May 2004 and the HMO was “volunteered” for registration prior to 1 November 2004.
• The HMO is one in respect of which all of the following conditions are met:
  • An application to be registered under the Scheme is made voluntarily.
  • The Housing Executive is satisfied that the HMO is fit for the number of occupants (within the meaning of Article 80(2) of the Housing (NI) Order 1992)
  • The Housing Executive is satisfied that the HMO is fit for human habitation (within the meaning of Article 46 of the Housing (NI) Order 1981).

Are any HMOs exempt from registration?

The following HMOs are exempt from registration:

• Residential homes, within the meaning of the Registered Homes (NI) Order 1992
• Children’s homes or community homes within the meaning of the Children (NI) Order 1995
• Boarding schools
• Any building or part of a building which is occupied principally for the purposes of a religious community whose principal occupation is prayer, contemplation, education or the relief of suffering
• Properties owned by the Housing Executive
• Any HMO which is occupied by persons who comprise no more than two families
• Any HMO which is occupied by no more than two persons in addition to the owner (or owners) and members of the family (or families) of owner(s).