Consultation on additional licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the county of Denbighshire

Have your say on proposed additional licensing conditions for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Denbighshire

What are we doing?

We are consulting on a proposed Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Denbighshire

What is a HMO?

Under the Housing Act 2004 an HMO is:

  • An entire house or flat occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
  • A house that has been converted into bedsits or other non-self-contained accommodation and occupied by three or more tenants, forming two or more households and sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
  • A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self-contained and which is occupied by three or more tenants occupying two or more households
  • A building converted entirely into self-contained flats where less than two thirds are in owner occupation and where the conversion did not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations

What licensing conditions are already in place for HMOs?

The Housing Act 2004 introduced a duty for local authorities to operate a Mandatory Licensing Scheme for certain types of HMO’s which consist of:

  • Three or more storeys, with five or more occupants and forming two or more households

The aim of the Mandatory Licensing Scheme is to ensure that HMOs are properly managed by fit and proper people; that the premises are suitably equipped with adequate amenities and facilities and that fire safety arrangements are acceptable. However, only a small number of HMOs in Denbighshire fall within the Mandatory Licensing criteria laid down by the Act.

The Housing Act 2004 also contains provisions enabling local authorities to extend a licensing scheme to other categories of HMO to address particular problems not covered by the Mandatory Scheme. This is called Additional Licensing.

What are the Additional Licensing Scheme proposals

We currently have an Additional Licensing scheme for HMOs in Denbighshire covering the areas of Rhyl, Prestatyn, Denbigh and Llangollen and this is due to expire at the end of November 2025.

We are proposing to implement a new Additional Licensing Scheme to replace the current one and this time we propose to extend the scheme to cover the whole of Denbighshire.

The scheme will run for 5 years and the types of HMO to be covered includes the following:

  • An entire house or flat occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.
  • A house that has been converted into bedsits or other non-self-contained accommodation and occupied by three or more tenants, forming two or more households, and sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
  • A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self-contained, and which is occupied by three or more tenants occupying two or more households.
  • A building occupied by three or more tenants occupying two or more households that has been converted entirely into self-contained flats where less than two thirds are in owner occupation and where the conversion did not comply with the 1991 Building Regulations.

Why are we doing this?

Under Section 56 of the Housing Act 2004, we have a duty to take reasonable steps to consult and consider any representations received prior to designating an area for HMO additional licensing.

What do we want to know?

We welcome comments from stakeholders who will be affected by the scheme which include, but not limited to tenants, landlords, letting and managing agents and local residents.

What difference will it make?

We will consider any representations made before we publish the final report for Cabinet approval.

How can you get involved?

Take part in our survey

Our survey can be completed online, and the consultation is open for 10 weeks.

Online form (external website)

Paper copies of the survey can be collected from and returned to any Denbighshire Library and/or One Stop Shop during usual opening hours

You can email envhealth@denbighshire.gov.uk

You can write to:

Public Protection (HMO Licensing),
Denbighshire County Council,
PO Box 62,
Ruthin
LL15 9AZ

The closing date for all responses is: 8th October 2025.

How will we feed back?

The final report and proposals will be discussed at the Council's Cabinet on 21 October 2025. The meeting is webcast and will be available for public viewing.

Feedback

Please check back for results