Many people live in properties which have been converted into flats, bedsits or shared houses. These are known as Houses in Multiple Occupation or HIMOs.
HIMOs are usually rented properties providing much needed affordable accommodation. In the main, HIMOs in High Peak are of a satisfactory standard, but occasionally, tenants find themselves in sub-standard accommodation that is in disrepair or lacks basic amenities or fire precautions. The Council has produced standards for HIMOs, in partnership with the Fire Authority and the Building Control Service, and landlords are encouraged to ensure that their properties comply. The Council has legal powers to make landlords improve the standard of their accommodation in those cases which don’t comply and where tenants are put at risk.
The Council monitors planning applications for new HIMOs, to ensure that prospective landlords are made aware of their responsibilities. Since July 2006, certain types of HIMO have had to have a licence in order to operate. Bedsits and shared houses of three or more storeys, and with five or more occupiers sharing kitchens or bathrooms, must have a licence from the Council, which must be displayed at the property. If you live in a property that might require a licence, you can contact the Environmental Health Service for advice or assistance.
To report problems in multi-occupied dwellings, contact Customer Services on 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400.
You can check whether your property is defined as a House in Multiple Occupation by using our handy Is your property a House in Multiple Occupation? checklist. (13KB) 
Since 6 April 2006, certain HIMOs must be licensed to operate. We administer the licensing scheme, and an application must have been made by the owner or landlord of a relevant HIMO, between 6 April and 3 July 200, to be certain of avoiding potential enforcement action. The licence is renewable every five years and on any change of landlord. Within the first five year licence period, we will inspect the premises and will engage with landlords to ensure that each licensed premises is operating to the required standards.
Generally speaking, an application must be made for all buildings that constitute bedsits and shared houses, and all self-contained flats that are occupied by more than one household, that meet the following criteria:
To find out more about which buildings are defined as HIMOs and which are exempt, the standards for the accommodation and the fire safety requirements that apply, you can read or download a copy of our Guidance on Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (116KB) . You can also get more information on the licensing requirement from the Government's dedicated website at www.propertylicence.gov.uk (External website**).
To check whether your house in multiple occupation requires a licence, you can download our pre-licence checklist. You can fill in and return the checklist to us as a declaration of whether your premises does or does not require a licence.
To apply for a licence, you can download the HMO Licence Application Form (138KB) . You can also read or download the Application Form Guidance Notes to help you complete the form.
A Licence Fee is chargeable to applicants to allow us to recover the costs of licensing. Our costs are based on the time taken to process the application and the hourly rates of the relevant Council staff involved. Clearly, the more comprehensive and accurate your application, the less time will be required to process it, and the licence fee could be lowered. Click here for more details on how the Licence Fee is calculated (65KB) . For any specific queries relating to the licence fee, contact Customer Services at customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
To report problems in multi-occupied dwellings, contact Call High Peak on 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400 or email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk. Paper copies of the Guidance on Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation are available by written request to the Environmental Health Service, Council Offices, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, SK23 0QJ, or by emailing your request to customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
If requesting a copy by email, please include your name, home address and contact number, and the address of the HIMO you are responsible for.
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.