UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi
We have 4 tenants (students) in a 3 bed house (they're using the living room as a bedroom), who are away for the summer while we build a loft extension to form a 4 bed 2 bathroom 3 storey house. When it's done, they'll move back in and we're considering letting an additional couple of students into the loft - making the house a large HMO. They'll all be under 1 tenancy agreement.

BUT - I'm struggling to find out what I need to do to comply with my duties, how much it will cost, and if it's worth doing even... We'll probably only rent it out for 10 months before we move back. I know the HMO licence is £1200 or thereabouts, but I don't know what else is required, other than a fire alarm and electrical test, and furnishings certificate. What else might the council force us to install? Do we need to have emergency lighting wired in, fire blankets and extinguishers etc etc....

The next problem is the timing of getting the license - as we need to make a decision and sign the tenancy agreement soon, but I don't think we can't apply for a license until the building works are finished.

Any help much appreciated!
thanks

It is the Council that you will obtain the licence from, therefore it is the Council that you need to be asking regarding any requirements placed upon you.

Some things may be standard across the UK, some may not... there are basic requirements listed here:

https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence

But they key point is this - "The council may add other conditions to your licence, e.g. improving the standard of your facilities. They will let you know when you apply."

Thanks for the reply.
The council haven't been very helpful, they just direct me to their website which doesn't have the answers I need, and none of the standards expected.
If I have tenants already, for example, and I apply for the licence, then find my property needs substantial improvement, what happens then? How long do I get to comply, and what happens if I can't? Or if they decide one room is too small - would I be fined? Would the tenant have to move out?

Same place for your answers I'm afraid. You realise we don't even know what Council?

Thanks for the reply.
It's Hammersmith/Fulham.
Are the standards the same for licensed and unlicensed HMO's?