Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016
| Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision for and in connection with the licensing of houses in multiple occupation. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2016 c. 22 (N.I.) |
| Introduced by | Mervyn Storey MLA, Minister for Social Development |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 12 May 2016 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through the Assembly | |
The Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 22 (N.I.)) is an act of the Northern Ireland Assembly relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
Provisions
[edit]The act provides for a definition of HMO such that cousins would be considered part of the same family.[1] The act sets out the space standards for bedrooms in an HMO.[2]
Under the act, licence renwal of an HMO cannot be refused on the basis of overprovision of such properties in a specific area, but the grant of a licence can be blocked.[3] District councils can set a cap on the proportion of houses in their area which are HMOs through a local development plan.[4]
The act treats the HMO licence as being held, from the date of death of the licensee by the licensee’s personal representatives, but this ceases to have effect 3 months after that date.[5] When a property is sold, any existing HMO licence ceases on the date ownership is transferred.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Murphy, Eleanor (1 February 2016). "Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill" (PDF). Northern Ireland Assembly. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Vincent, Francois (9 October 2024). "Family home in Markethill granted HMO permission despite neighbours' objections". Armagh I. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Kenwood, Michael (22 August 2023). "Councillors disappointed as no action to be taken to reduce student-type HMO houses in Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Hargan, Garrett (5 June 2025). "Residents living near Magee campus fear council housing policy will create a 'Derry Holylands'". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Kenwood, Michael (23 May 2025). "Belfast Council rejects landlord widow's attempt to continue property as HMO". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Kenwood, Michael (22 February 2024). "South Belfast children's day care centre refused HMO licence". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.