Houses in Multiple Occupation licence
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property occupied by three or more persons, from different families, who share facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.
The owner of the house is required by law to have an HMO licence from the local authority. The licence aims to make sure the property is safe, well managed and of good quality.
View the licensing of HMOs guidance notes for landlords (PDF 115KB).
Conditions
The law says HMOs must meet certain conditions to get a licence:
- Licensing conditions and management standards (PDF 277KB) - these form part of the licence
- Fire safety information (PDF 122KB)
Fees
Fees depend on the number of people occupying the property. The current fees are applicable until 31st March 2026.
| Number of occupants | New application | Renewal |
| 3-4 | £967 | £873.25 |
| 5-9 | £1,298.75 | £1,195.50 |
| 10-14 | £1,460.25 | £1,448.75 |
| 15-25 | £1,656.25 | £1,614.25 |
| Above 25 | £1,689 | £1,680.50 |
How to pay
You can pay by either:
- making a telephone payment on 01467 539039
- visiting one of our service points
How to apply
To apply please complete the HMO licence application form (PDF 168KB), and submit this by email to hmo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Please note an application can only be processed once the relevant fee payment has been made.
Application notice and certificate of compliance
You must complete and display the notice of an application for a HMO licence (PDF 57KB) for at least 21 days (from the date the valid application is submitted to the Environmental Health Service). The notice must be in a prominent position at the premises where it can be clearly read by members of the public.
The notice must be removed after 21 days. You then need to complete certificate of compliance and returned to Environmental Health at hmo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Contact
For any queries please contact hmo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or write to:
Buchan House
St Peter Street
Peterhead
AB42 1QF