As a landlord in Liverpool or its surrounding towns like St Helens, Crosby, Wirral, or Birkenhead, keeping up with the latest HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) regulations is essential—not just for compliance, but to protect your investment and increase rental yields. The 2025 HMO licensing landscape has introduced several updates that every property owner should be aware of.
In this months blog, we break down what Liverpool landlords need to know about HMO licensing in 2025, HMO regulations, the key changes in 2025, and how these rules might affect your property plans.
What Is an HMO?
An HMO is a property rented out by three or more people who are not from the same household but share facilities like the kitchen and bathroom. Common examples include student housing, shared houses, and multi-let conversions.
HMO Licensing Rules for 2025
Liverpool City Council and nearby authorities are increasingly focused on housing quality. Here are the latest updates that landlords need to know:
1. Expanded Licensing Areas
- The Liverpool City Council selective licensing scheme now covers 16 wards, including areas such as Anfield, Kensington Fields, Tuebrook, and Wavertree.
- Surrounding councils (e.g. Wirral and St Helens) are also rolling out their own schemes with tougher checks on fire safety, energy efficiency, and property conditions.
2. Minimum Room Sizes
All rooms used for sleeping in HMOs must now meet the following minimum sizes:
- 6.51 m² for a single adult
- 10.22 m² for two adults sharing
- 4.64 m² for children under 10
These changes are actively enforced, and non-compliant landlords face fines of up to £30,000.
3. Upgraded Fire Safety Standards
There’s a new emphasis on:
- Hard-wired smoke alarms
- Fire doors in high-risk areas
- Clear, unobstructed escape routes
If your property hasn’t been refurbished to meet these standards, now is the time.
How This Affects Local Landlords
The increased regulatory pressure means landlords have two choices:
- Invest in upgrading their properties to meet licensing standards.
- Risk penalties, rent repayment orders, or even loss of their licence.
For many landlords in Liverpool and surrounding areas, the smart move is to partner with refurbishment experts who understand the intricacies of HMO conversion and compliance.
We have over 20 years of experience in working with landlords in Liverpool, and have significant experience in HMO conversions across Liverpool. Contact us today for a conversation about how we can help you on 0151 305 4821.
Why Work With Refurb Experts?
At Refurb Experts, we specialise in HMO conversions, compliance-led refurbishments, and landlord upgrades throughout Liverpool, Birkenhead, St Helens, Crosby, and beyond.
Local Knowledge: We know the council requirements inside-out.
End-to-End Service: From design and layout to electrics, fire safety, and finish.
Maximised ROI: We’ll help you turn a tired 3-bed house into a fully compliant 6-bed HMO with top yields.
Contact Us Today To Discuss HMO’s!
Whether you’re converting a single-family home or upgrading an existing HMO to pass inspections, Refurb Experts can help. Contact us today for a free consultation and turn your property into a compliant, high-yield asset.
Call us on 0151 305 4821 or email enquiries@refurbexperts.co.uk with details of your enquiry and a member of the team will be pleased to speak to you to about everything Liverpool landlords need to know about HMO licencing in 2025 and about Liverpool based HMO conversions in more detail.
Our friendly team have many years of experience and if you would like to meet us at your property to walk around and discuss a possible HMO, we will be pleased to accommodate this for you.
For more reading about HMO conversions, click here to our read our dedicated HMO service page.