The short answer: In England, a property will usually be an HMO where at least three people forming more than one household share basic amenities. A mandatory HMO licence is generally required where five or more people from more than one household share facilities and at least one pays rent. Smaller HMOs can still require an additional licence, while a selective licence can apply to ordinary private lets in a designated area. The answer always depends on the property, the pro

Landlord compliance is rarely lost because someone has never heard of a gas certificate or an EICR. It is lost in the gaps: a report expires during a busy re-let, a deposit is protected but the prescribed information is not served, or a portfolio grows faster than its record-keeping system. In 2026, those gaps are more visible. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has changed the tenancy framework in England, including the end of new section 21 notices from 1 May 2026. The Register y