What is commonly called an HMO but is in fact a large HMO. This is a property that has five or more tenants and where they share a toilet, bathroom, or kitchen. The building may have a certain number of stories. To operate Large HMOs, Landlords will need to have a HMO license. This licence is valid for five year and can be referred to as Licsenced HMOs.
HMO properties may be available for sale that offer irresistible "100%+ Gross Yields". One would not want to miss out on that opportunity. Be aware of the gross yields in HMO sectors: Your costs include insurance, council tax and utility bills. You also have to pay rent arrears or voids. A HMO could have a ROI of between 8-10% and 4-5% per year for single-tenancy buys-to-let.
Complex property types will require more risk-averse lenders to be open to lending to them. Even those that are willing to lend to them, they will each have their own criteria.
Students: Can have their rent paid by their parents. Usually, they have a set length of tenancy.
HMO mortgages may only be available to experienced landlords. Lenders will not accept applications from anyone who has been a landlord for two years or more and/or has experience in HMO leasing. Additional requirements may be required by lenders. A HMO mortgage will not be approved for a first-time landlord. Instead, you'll need to rent a property to one household.
It is common for shared areas to be 'left' as no one wants another's mess. Sometimes landlords have to clean their properties or hire cleaners.
The potential for houses in multiple occupation (HMO), to be more profitable than regular buy and let investments, is a reason why. HMO mortgages have been increasing in popularity. However, do landlords really need them? Will a traditional buy and let mortgage suffice?