Housing in Multiple Occupancy

A House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) is one which is the principal residence of three or more unrelated persons. HMOs include:

• shared flats and houses
• bedsits
• lodgings and communal accommodation – such as student residences, hostels and staff accommodation

If you operate an HMO, it must be licensed. It is a criminal offence to operate an unlicensed HMO and could lead to a conviction and fine.

Table of fees applicable from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

We do not apply any additional charges for property inspections or variations to the licence conditions.

To apply or renew your licence you’ll need to download and complete an application form.  Payment must be made in full as soon as an application has been submitted.

Download the application form, guidelines and checklist

Read the HMO over provision policy before you apply.

Send your completed application to:

Private Rented Housing Team
Stirling Council
Room 10
Allan Water House
Stirling
FK7 7SG

Or email hmo@stirling.gov.uk

• HMO standards – defines the minimum standards for HMO accommodation
• Fire standards – describes the fire safety requirements for HMO properties
• Draft public notice - you must display this outside the property for 21 days starting on the day you submit your application
• Certificate of compliance – you must complete and submit this after 21 days of displaying the public notice
• Supplementary planning guidance – including Stirling Council’s overprovision policy
• Legionella risk assessment and log – to be completed at least annually and on a change of tenant
• Draft neighbour notification – to be circulated to all neighbours once your HMO licence is granted

If you are unable to pay online we also accept the following payment types –

• cheque made payable to ‘Stirling Council’ with the address of the HMO property on the reverse
• debit/credit card over the phone to 01786 237722

A block discount of 65% applies for each additional property with an identical footprint, owned by the same landlord. First time requests for a block discount will only be awarded where both of these criteria apply:

• all tenancies within the properties meet the provisions laid out in the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 - Schedule 1 (Section 5 - Student Let)
• each property is of identical design, layout, floor area, furnishings and provision of amenities

If you submit an application and fee but wish to cancel your application before it is approved, you will receive a refund of 30% of the fee paid. If you voluntarily revoke your licence after it has been granted, you will be entitled to a refund of 15% of the original fee paid for every full year that the licence has still to run, based on a 2 year licence.

In 2015 an over provision policy was approved which introduced a new concentration threshold of 1% within the electoral wards of Stirling North (formerly Castle Ward, Ward 4), Stirling East (Ward 6), Stirling West (Ward 5), Dunblane and Bridge of Allan (Ward 3). The concentration level outside of these areas will be limited to 5% for each Census Output Area, for any new first time HMO applications. This policy will apply irrespective of planning permission being required for ‘change of use’.

Read the HMO over provision policy