Belfast City Council (BCC) is calling on students and prospective renters to verify that their shared accommodation is correctly licensed as a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).

In Northern Ireland, any living accommodation where three or more people from more than two different households reside together is classified as an HMO. Under current legislation, these properties must be licensed by the local council to ensure they meet strict safety, management, and quality standards. While Belfast City Council manages the licensing service for all 11 local authorities in the region, it holds direct responsibility for properties located within the Belfast area.

To assist tenants, a free online resource titled 'Know Your Rights – A Guide for HMO Tenants' has been published at belfastcity.gov.uk/HMOtenants. The guide outlines the legal obligations of landlords and the protections afforded to those living in shared housing. Councillor Arder Carson, Deputy Chair of the council's Licensing Committee, said: "If you're a student checking out options for next term, make sure you take a look through this guide first, so you're clear on your rights, as well as your landlord's responsibilities when it comes to shared housing. Since 2019, all landlords who operate an HMO must have a licence to continue renting it to multiple tenants (unless a temporary exemption notice is in effect) - and they need one for each individual HMO they own."

Councillor Carson added: "A HMO licence provides peace of mind – you know that your rental choice has been assessed as safe and of a good living standard, and it has the right facilities for the number of people living within it. It also provides you with reassurance that your landlord is operating within the law and has set out clearly how they will manage any issues which may arise during your tenancy, including vital aspects like deposits and notice periods to end your lease."

The guide provides comprehensive advice on pre-tenancy checks, safety at home, and handling disputes such as unlawful eviction or harassment. It also highlights critical financial rules, such as ensuring deposits do not exceed one month's rent and verifying that they are placed in a protected scheme within 28 days.

Prospective tenants can check the status of a specific property by visiting the HMO licence register at belfastcity.gov.uk/checkHMOlicence. For further assistance, the HMO team can be reached via telephone at 028 9027 0414 or through email at nihmo@belfastcity.gov.uk.