House in multiple occupation

A house in multiple occupation (HMO),^[1] or a house of multiple occupancy, is a British English term which refers to residential properties where 'common areas' exist and are shared by more than one household.

Most HMOs have been subdivided from larger houses designed for and occupied by one family. Some housing legislation makes a distinction between those buildings occupied mainly on long leases and those where the majority of the occupants are short-term tenants.

The definition of an HMO has its origins in fire safety legislation, following a series of publicised, preventable deaths in overcrowded buildings.