Housing statistics 2017: key trends summary

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

The most recent figures as at 31 ^st March 2017 show 15,289 licences in force, 2% higher than the previous year.

The number of licences in force has generally increased since the introduction of the mandatory licensing scheme in 2001. The most recent figures for 2017 show 15,289 licences in force at 31 ^st March, 2% higher than the previous year. Of the licences in force, 87% are accounted for by just five local authorities – Aberdeen City, Dundee City, City of Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow City. City of Edinburgh alone holds an estimated 39% of Scotland's HMO licences.

Chart 21 below shows the number of licences in force at 31 ^st March 2017, by the type of property. Flats or houses to let as a whole are by far the largest HMO type (63%), with specific student accommodation within halls of residence accounting for a further 8%.

Chart 21: HMO licences in force, by type, March 2017

There were 9,668 applications received in 2016-17, 9% more than the year before. New applications made up 17% of these, and the remainder were applications for licence renewals.