Shared-property checker

HMO checker

Use this page to work through the first HMO questions: how many people live in the property, how many households they form, and whether the setup is likely to fall into mandatory or local HMO licensing.

Useful when the occupancy pattern matters more than the postcode alone.

Helpful for shared houses, lodger arrangements, and early HMO due diligence.

Still not a final answer on its own, because councils can add local HMO rules.

Work through the HMO questions

This tool gives a practical starting point. Final reliance should still go back to the council because local additional licensing, exemptions, planning context, and building layout can change the answer.

Question 1 of ~4

How many people live in the property?

Count all occupants, not just named tenants. Include anyone who uses the property as their main residence.

What this page helps with

Whether a shared property is likely to be treated as an HMO.
Whether mandatory HMO licensing could be in play nationally.
Whether you should move next into the council page or the wider HMO guide.

What it cannot confirm on its own

Whether a council has introduced local additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
Whether planning history, building layout, or exemptions change the position.
The final licensing outcome for a specific property without council verification.

How the HMO checker fits the wider site

Use the HMO questions first, then move into the postcode checker, the council page, and the official source if the property still looks licensable.

144 councils currently sit above baseline coverage. 4 are in the narrower detailed-coverage tier, while 140 are in the wider enhanced-research tier, which may also include scheme records.

Baseline coverage

A trust-first council summary with the current public status, verification route, and practical next steps.

Detailed coverage

A council page that currently shows public scheme records such as scheme type, dates, fees, or coverage notes.

Enhanced research coverage

Our richest public page state, combining supporting research signals such as sources, registers, contact details, or review context. It may also include scheme records.

Useful next steps

Check a postcode

Move into the local council page once the occupancy picture is clearer.

Read the HMO guide

Use the wider guide if you need the legal and practical background.

Browse councils

Open local summary pages directly if you already know the council area.

Need more than the free HMO check?

Keep the free route first. Use the written review only if the occupancy pattern or council variation still leaves uncertainty.

Free checker

Live now

Free

Check a postcode, open the council page, and use the guides before paying for anything.

Best for: Useful when you want a practical first pass on one property or area.

Delivery: Instant result with council and guide links

Free postcode and council discovery
Guide and council-page linking
Official verification paths where available

Open the free checker

Property Licensing Check

Live now

£29

A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.

Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.

Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days

Human-reviewed summary
Likely licensing routes flagged
Official links included

Request the review

Alerts and monitoring

Coming soon

£12.99/month

A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.

Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts

Selected council or area monitoring
Scheme-change alerts
Saved watchlist concept ready for rollout

See alerts and monitoring

These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.

This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.