HMO Specialists in Edinburgh

From licensing and compliance to letting and management, we help landlords get their HMO ready

What is an HMO?

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is generally a property occupied by three or more unrelated people who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom and use the property as their main home.

HMO properties are subject to specific licensing, safety and property standards. Requirements can include suitable room sizes, fire safety measures, electrical and gas safety certificates, floor plans and other compliance documentation.

For the latest requirements and official guidance, visit the City of Edinburgh Council HMO licence guidance.

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HMO in Edinburgh – Licence & Management

If you are planning to let a property to multiple unrelated tenants in Edinburgh, you may need an HMO licence. At ELC Sales & Lettings, we specialise in HMO properties and support landlords with HMO licensing, property preparation, compliance, letting and management.

We have experience helping landlords prepare properties for HMO requirements and navigating the application and inspection process.

Scottish Government considers living accommodation as an HMO if it is:

Occupied by three of more persons from three or more families; and
Occupied by them as their only or main residence; and
Either a house, premises or a group of premises owned by the same person with shared basic amenities.

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Planning the Cost of an HMO?

Upgrading a property to meet HMO standards can involve costs for safety certificates, fire safety measures, electrical work, property improvements and other requirements.

Use our HMO Cost Calculator for Scotland to get an approximate idea of the potential costs involved in preparing a property for HMO standards.

The calculator provides indicative costs only and is not a quotation. Actual costs will depend on the property, its existing condition and the work required.

Estimate Your HMO Setup Costs

Key Facts:

Maximum fine for letting unlicensed HMO property is £50,000.
HMO properties generate higher yields, but HMO management is time consuming.

What do we do:

Advise on all aspects of renting and a rental valuation.
Use state of the art technology to take a 360 virtual tour of the entire property.
Take professional photographs of each room, hallway and garden area if applicable.
Marketing the property via our own exclusive website and broader advertising (Zoopla, Lettingweb, OnTheMarket, RightMove).
Interviewing prospective tenants and conducting accompanied viewings of the property.
Comprehensive independent reference checks on all prospective tenants.
Prepare full tenancy agreement, signing and serving the appropriate notices.
Collecting security deposit, equivalent to one month’s rent, being forwarded to the Landlord.
Collecting initial monthly rental payment, forwarding this to the Landlord less agreed fees.
Ensure the utility accounts and council tax are transferred into the Tenants own name.
Advise on any legal safety compliance issues and landlord registration.