• Everything You Should Understand About Property Licensing
    Licensing & Houses Of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

Amidst the UK's expanding population and the escalating challenge for many to afford home ownership, the trend of renting rooms within shared housing is on the rise. The private rental market is responding with an unprecedented number of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). An HMO is essentially a residence inhabited by at least three tenants forming more than two households, meaning they are not all part of the same family. These shared living spaces are particularly appealing to students and working professionals, offering both an economical living option and the opportunity to form new friendships. If you're looking to rent, you might wonder whether an HMO is the right choice for you.

Since 2004, Adams Estates has established itself as a premier independent estate agency in Reading Berkshire, specialising in the robust HMO property sector. Expertly managing a portfolio of over 500 HMO properties, we leverage our comprehensive market insights to ensure full compliance and optimise rental income for investors. Our adept understanding of HMO rentals positions us as a trusted advisor, enhancing your property's profitability and securing its competitive edge in the dynamic property.

Experts In HMO properties






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Fines Up To £30,000

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Rogue Landlord And Agent Database

Property licensing represents the method employed by Local Authorities to enhance living conditions within rental properties and to verify that landlords are qualified and responsible individuals to manage these dwellings. The specific license needed for a property depends on various elements, such as the tenant count and the jurisdiction of the council governing the area where the property is situated.



HMO Guide


Houses in multiple occupatiion explained

"Any property occupied by persons who do not form a single household"

Any property occupied by persons who do not forma single household, HMOs demand diligent management in line with "The Management of House in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulation 2006 SI 2006/372". Compliance with specific local authority stipulation is also essential. In Reading, properties housing more than one household necessitate an additional licence, while larger properties must obtain a mandatory HMO licence. Local councils conduct inspections during the licence application process for HMOs, and should they fall short of required standards, landlords or owners will be compelled to undertake necessary upgrades. For more details, we invite you to reach out to us.





HMO


HMO


Article 4 Directive


RBC Building Regulations Portal


RBC Planning Portal




Types of Houses Multiple Occupation Explained

Mandatory HMO Licensing


Selective HMO Licensing


Additional HMO Licensing


Begin Your Compliance Journey by Contacting Us

If you're not sure which service is right for you, or you'd prefer to speak to a member of our team, give us a call on 01189 351616. Alternatively, send us your details and we'll give you a call just as soon as we can.





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Read More Student Rental Market & The Renters` Rights Bill: What Landlords Need to Know

Student Rental Market & The Renters` Rights Bill: What Landlords Need to Know 31 October 2025

Earlier this week, the Renters" Rights Bill officially became law — now known as the Renters" Rights Act. While implementation dates are still to be announced, changes are expected soon. The new Act introduces major reforms for private landlords, particularly those renting to students.... Read More

Read More Landlord Sell-Offs Emerge as Leading Driver of Homelessness

Landlord Sell-Offs Emerge as Leading Driver of Homelessness 24 October 2025

New government figures confirm that landlords selling their properties continues to be the single biggest reason tenants lose their homes and require council assistance. The data, covering April to June 2025, shows that 6,700 households in England"s private rented sector sought help from their local council to prevent homelessness after their landlord decided to sell.... Read More

Read More Critics Warn Reeves` Landlord National Insurance Proposal Could Backfire

Critics Warn Reeves` Landlord National Insurance Proposal Could Backfire 17 October 2025

An influential think tank has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves to avoid taking the "simple" route of raising taxes such as National Insurance on landlord or investment income, and instead focus on long-overdue reform of the council tax system. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) cautioned that "increasing taxes on returns to capital – such as rental income, dividend income, interest income, self-employment profits or capital gains – without broader reform would do more economic damage than is necessary.... Read More

Read More Conservatives to Maintain Stamp Duty for Additional Properties

Conservatives to Maintain Stamp Duty for Additional Properties 10 October 2025

The Conservative Party has confirmed that stamp duty will continue to apply to buy-to-let and additional property purchases, even as it pledges to abolish the tax on primary residences. Party leader Kemi Badenoch described stamp duty as "a bad tax" during her speech closing the party"s annual conference in Manchester.... Read More

Read More Legal Disputes on Pets Expected to Rise with Implementation of Renters Rights Act

Legal Disputes on Pets Expected to Rise with Implementation of Renters Rights Act 03 October 2025

Lawyers are warning that a lack of clarity around pet ownership in the forthcoming Renters Reform Bill could lead to a surge in disputes between tenants and landlords. One of the final unresolved aspects of the legislation is the "Pets in Lets" provision, which would grant tenants the right to request a pet.... Read More

Read More Tenants Advised to Verify Landlord`s Deposit Protection Compliance

Tenants Advised to Verify Landlord`s Deposit Protection Compliance 26 September 2025

A new report from tenant review platform Marks Out of Tenancy has revealed what it calls "worrying trends in deposit protection compliance across the UK rental sector." Drawing on 2,299 verified tenant reviews submitted between 2019 and 2024, the research highlights declining compliance, inconsistent landlord and agent behaviour, and limited tenant awareness of their legal rights.... Read More

Read More Official - Renters Rights Bill Will Not Become Law Before Labour Conference

Official - Renters Rights Bill Will Not Become Law Before Labour Conference 19 September 2025

The Renters Rights Bill is set to return to the House of Lords on October 14th for its final stages before receiving Royal Assent. While many had expected the Bill to become law before Labour"s annual conference later this month, that timeline shifted following the resignation of former Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.... Read More

Read More Proposed Renters` Rights Amendments Rejected Amid Misuse Fears

Proposed Renters` Rights Amendments Rejected Amid Misuse Fears 12 September 2025

The Government has rejected the majority of House of Lords amendments to the Renters" Rights Bill, warning that several proposals could leave the system open to exploitation by landlords. Peers had suggested a number of changes, including allowing landlords to request an additional deposit from tenants with pets and enabling landlords to repossess properties in order to house a carer for themselves or a family member.... Read More

Read More Rental Market Set to Ease After Summer Peak

Rental Market Set to Ease After Summer Peak 05 September 2025

The rental market remained buoyant throughout August, according to Goodlord"s latest Rental Index. While the average cost of rent across England dipped slightly month-on-month, prices remain 2.9% higher year-on-year. At £1,480 per property, the average monthly rent is now the second-highest level recorded since the Index began in 2019.... Read More

Read More Government Proposes National Insurance Changes Affecting Landlords

Government Proposes National Insurance Changes Affecting Landlords 29 August 2025

Landlords could potentially soon face yet another financial blow from the government: the possibility of paying National Insurance (NI) on profits from rental income. According to a recent report by The Times, a government leak suggests that such a move could generate £2 billion for the Treasury.... Read More

Read More Landlords Call for Clear Rollout Strategy on Renters` Rights Bill

Landlords Call for Clear Rollout Strategy on Renters` Rights Bill 22 August 2025

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has called on the Government to set out a credible and detailed implementation plan for the Renters" Rights Bill, warning that uncertainty risks destabilising an already fragile rental market. The Bill, which represents the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector in nearly four decades, is widely expected to become law within weeks.... Read More

Read More NRLA Urges MPs: Protect Student Housing to Safeguard Education

NRLA Urges MPs: Protect Student Housing to Safeguard Education 15 August 2025

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has joined forces with key housing bodies to warn MPs that they face a critical, last-chance opportunity to protect the student housing market—and with it, the future of higher education in the UK.... Read More