HMO (houses in multiple occupation) Insurance

What is an HMO?

HMO stands for House in Multiple Occupation. This can include bedsits, purpose built and converted flats, and student accommodation.

According to gov.uk your property is an HMO if both of the following apply:

• at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than one household
• toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared

A household consists of either a single person or members of the same family who live together. It includes people who are married or living together and people in same-sex relationships.

HMOs have become increasingly popular over the past decade, for both landlords and tenants. Landlords are able to get higher yields and higher monthly profits by letting properties by the room. Whilst tenants can get a private bedroom with shared facilities for a convenient all-in-one monthly rent (which can cost a lot less than renting a whole property), and the arrangement might suit students in particular.

Insurance for HMOs

When buying buildings insurance neither traditional residential home insurance nor landlords insurance will suffice. In fact, if you use either of these types of insurance to protect your HMO, the cover may typically be invalid. HMO insurance falls into a specialist category and most Insurers aren’t able to cover HMOs.

Houses in multiple occupancy are considered by insurers to be high risk. By definition, it is a property in multiple occupation, with facilities that are shared by several households, meaning lots of footfall. There are common areas and the use of share facilities, where there may be a greater risk of damage. There is also the unfortunate stigma associated with all HMOs as being converted bedsits, with a faulty kitchen in every bedroom, occupied only by irresponsible tenants.

If you are thinking about buying an HMO or converting your existing buy to let property into an HMO, it is important to remember that you need specialist HMO insurance that recognises the particular risks involved, yet provides you the cover you need. 

We are Experienced Insurance Brokers and can help ensure you have the right level of cover.

If you would like us to talk you through HMO Insurance please get in touch with us. We can offer a no-obligation quote too. You can contact us:

• Through our Live Chat
• By emailing us at info@evansinsurance.co.uk
• You can also call us on 01708 289 525