Landlord tool
HMO licence and planning checker
Five questions tell you whether a shared house needs a licence, and whether turning a home into a house share needs planning permission.
Questions
Common questions
What counts as an HMO?
A home shared by three or more people from two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
When is a licence mandatory?
When five or more people from two or more households live in the property. Count people, not rooms.
Do I need planning permission in Tameside?
To turn a home into an HMO, yes. An Article 4 Direction has applied across Tameside since 2 October 2025.
Is anything stored or sent when I use the checker?
No. The answers are worked out in your browser and nothing is stored or sent anywhere.
Is the result legal advice?
No. It is a guide based on the main national and Tameside rules. Check with the council, or ask us, before you act.
Published 28 October 2026. A guide, not legal advice.