No.
There are three types of licensing.
1) Compulsory licensing of houses in multiple occupation
This is for properties where:
- the property is occupied by five or more persons
- those persons form two or more households
2) Additional licensing of houses in multiple occupation
This is a discretionary power that we may decide to apply to a particular type of house in multiple occupation, for example, two storey properties occupied by three or more students or asylum seekers.
3) Selective licensing of houses in multiple occupation
Properties that are not subject to house in multiple occupation licensing could be covered under a selective licensing scheme. This is where we may declare that certain areas, for example, where there is low demand for housing or antisocial behaviour, are appropriate for selective licensing. This licensing would cover all forms of private rented housing, including houses in multiple occupation.
Exemptions
Houses in multiple occupation exempt from licensing include:
- buildings, or part of buildings, occupied by no more than two households each of which comprise a single person (such as two-person flat shares)
- buildings occupied by a resident landlord with up to two tenants
- managed or owned by a public body (such as the police or the NHS) or a housing association or a registered social landlord
- where the residential accommodation supports the principal use of the building, for example, religious establishments and conference centres
- student halls or residence, where the education establishment has signed up to an approved code of practice
- regulated buildings such as care homes, bail hostels etc
- buildings entirely occupied by freeholders or long leaseholders