HMO
May 2026
Mandatory HMO Licensing Threshold in England: What Landlords Need to Know
Mandatory HMO licensing in England applies to any property occupied by five or more people from two or more separate households who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Since October 2018, there is no minimum number of storeys required. Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence under Section 72 of the Housing Act 2004, carrying civil penalties of up to £40,000 (increased from £30,000 by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) or an unlimited fine on prosecution. Tenants can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order for up to 12 months of rent. This article explains the mandatory threshold, how households are counted, the licence conditions landlords must meet, and the additional and selective licensing schemes that may apply below the mandatory threshold.
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General
May 2026
How the Renters' Rights Act Changes Landlord Record-Keeping
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 shifts the private rented sector from a system built on a landlord's word to one built on a landlord's record. This article explains what that means in practice and what documentation landlords now need to maintain.
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General
May 2026
What Is a Landlord Compliance Register?
A landlord compliance register is a structured, property level record of every legal obligation, certificate, and document the law requires of a private landlord in England. This article explains what it should contain, why passive record keeping is no longer enough after the abolition of Section 21, and how LLCR functions as that register.
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