Do I need to get a new mortgage following the HMO licencing changes?
When do I have to obtain a HMO licence?
Normally you’re obliged to inform your Mortgage Lender of any significant material changes to the property or its tenancy arrangements. For example if the mortgage was taken out on the basis of a let to a single family and now it’s a Multi-let or House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) they could potentially insist you find an alternative lender.
On the 1st October the reclassification of HMOs took place. This has meant Landlords, particularly those with Multi-lets may have dropped into a new category of lending so their current Lender should be notified.
HMO Licencing Laws – October 2018
So what’s changed?
Old Rule: a HMO licence was only required when the property had 3 or more storeys and 5 or more tenants in one household, collectively sharing bathroom, toilet and kitchen.
- it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household
- some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
- at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them)
Why have HMO Licencing Laws changed?
The idea is new government rules will improve the standard of lettings in the UK.
It is anticipated that the changes will affect approximately 160,000 properties.
Rooms sleeping one adult must be at least 6.51 sqm, for two adults’ rooms must be no smaller than 10.22 sqm.
What could happen if Landlord’s fail to comply?
If the landlord fails to apply for a licence or temporary exemption by the 1 October, they will be committing a criminal offence.
The penalties for operating an unlicensed HMO can include prosecution or a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
How will my Mortgage Lender ever find out?
Well the onus is on you to declare the type of tenancy if it has changed since the original mortgage application. Going forward, there will be a centralised database for Mortgage Lenders validate licenses. The room dimensions may have also been captured by the Mortgage Lender in their original valuation of the property.
Which Mortgage Lenders allow HMO remortgages?
At Niche Advice we work with a range of Mortgage Lenders that offer HMO remortgages, including: Aldermore, Foundation Homeloans, Kent Reliance, Landbay, Leeds BS, LendInvest, Magellan Homeloans, Paragon, Precise, Shawbrook, Together Money, The Mortgage Lender and Vida Homeloans.
Niche Advice offers suitable advice to applicants looking to remortgage their buy-to-lets onto an HMO basis. To find out how we can help you please complete the Contact Form on our website or call T: 020 7993 2044.
