HMO public register

The Housing Act 2004 requires a local housing authority to establish and maintain a register of licences granted under the Act. The register can be viewed by appointment at City Hall free of charge, between the hours of 9am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. Alternatively, a copy of the public register can be sent out electronically for a charge of £75 per copy. 

To book an appointment or request an electronic copy (£75 fee) please select the following link Request a copy of the HMO Public Register

The council is not required to keep the register of licenced HMOs online.

Sunderland City Council licences Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), where five or more people forming two or more households share or lack a basic amenity (bathroom, toilet or kitchen). The register is updated periodically and details certain information about licensed HMOs in Sunderland including:

• The property address
• Details of the Licence Holder
• Date of issue and expiry
• Details of the Manager (if applicable)
• The maximum number of persons and households allowed to reside at the property
• Number of storeys
• Number of bedrooms
• Number of kitchens
• Number of reception rooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Number of separate toilets

If you suspect that a property which should be licensed as an HMO is not on the register, you can provide us with the address and other information that you think is useful. We will treat all information in the strictest confidence. We will never pass your details onto anyone involved in the management of the property. This can be done by providing the address details of the property and selecting "HMO - Suspected Unlicensed" from the drop-down list on the online HMO Management Form

It is a criminal offence to operate an HMO without a licence if it is required to have one. Landlords can be prosecuted in a Magistrates Court and given an unlimited fine. In addition, the council and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order and claim back up to 12 months rent/housing benefit payments. Alternatively, we may choose to issue a civil penalty which could be up to £30,000.