In Herefordshire, as everywhere in England, a house with five or more people forming two or more households needs a mandatory HMO licence. Herefordshire Council may add its own schemes, as the table shows.
Licensing and planning for HMOs in Herefordshire is handled by Herefordshire Council, a unitary council covering the whole county, so the same rules apply wherever the house is.
HMO rules in Herefordshire
| Council | Additional licensing | Selective licensing | Article 4 (small HMOs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herefordshire Council | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
Checked October 2026. Mandatory licensing for five or more people applies in every council. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for the address before work starts.
HMO fire risk assessments in Herefordshire: what we do
Shared houses in Herefordshire need a fire risk assessment that reflects how the building is actually laid out. We assess the common parts and the escape route from every bedroom, then give you a written report with a prioritised action plan you can act on.
Councils and fire services covering Herefordshire commonly expect to see a current assessment, particularly at licence time. We review assessments for houses in Herefordshire after building work or changes in occupancy, and can price any works the action plan identifies.
- Advice on the responsible person's ongoing duties
- Written fire risk assessment report for you to keep
- Prioritised action plan with a reason for each item
- Site visit covering common parts and every escape route
- Check of fire doors, alarms and emergency lighting