INDEPENDENT UK HOUSING GUIDE · UPDATED 2026-10-17
How we research HMOs and assess the evidence
We are an independent, non-commercial source directory. Our priority is traceable council information, clear publication dates and safety, rather than trying to identify the people living at an address.
Council-wide HMO estimates
Official figures describe an area and a stated statistical year. Counts for one reporting period cannot be automatically added to differently dated licence lists or advertisements.
Historical licence-register entries
A dated mandatory licence-register snapshot indicates how an address appeared in that source at that point in time. Duplicate records and renewals can refer to the same property. We keep source counts and distinct-address counts conceptually separate.
Planning evidence and proposed changes
An application can describe a future use, an amendment, a refusal or a decision. Where available, we record its source reference and status; we do not treat a proposal as a confirmed occupied HMO.
Advertisements and community input
Property advertisements and tips can contain inaccuracies and may be outdated. They are treated as unverified leads and are not silently converted into licensed-property counts. Private reports are moderated, not automatically published.
Restricted information and resident privacy
Member access levels restrict more sensitive maps and records. Case-specific safeguarding access needs separate approval. The directory does not publish resident profiles, and approximate map markers must not be treated as evidence about individuals.
Corrections, sourcing and limitations
Official links can move or be replaced. We welcome corrections with their official source, reference and date. Missing evidence is not proof of illegality, and we do not identify current occupants.
Original official sources
Verify the relevant date and policy on the original pages: