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HMOs in North Northamptonshire

People living in HMOs

This figure is fluid as not all HMOs operate at capacity all of the time. Every licence has a maximum number of occupants allowed and can be found on our public register on our website.

There are options available to search by street name, postcode or town and download a pdf document if necessary.

We do not know the identity of occupants - landlords are not obliged to tell us, so this is not information that we hold.

Local or offshore ownership

Licenced HMOs need to have a 'fit and proper' licence holder managing the property to make sure it complies with licence conditions.

Property owners are usually the licence holder (but not always) and are usually local to the area. If not, a managing agent or licence holder must be appointed to take responsibility for the property.

At this time, we have no known HMOs owned by offshore landlords.

Non-licensable HMOs

As of August 2025, we have:

  • 338 non-licensable HMOs - these are HMOs with 3 or 4 tenants that do not require a licence. They have all been inspected and fully comply with the HMO management regulations
  • 909 Suspect HMOs - these are currently being investigating to confirm their use. This figure fluctuates as the status of properties is confirmed and is made up of properties referred from Northants Fire and Rescue Service and our Council Tax team. Others are reported to Private Sector Housing via neighbours, Councillors and other departments

Owners and managing agents of HMOs

Licenced HMOs

Information on HMOs and their owners and managing agents can be found on our public register on our website.

Non-licensable HMOs

We are developing our database for all non-licensable HMOs which will hold all owner and agent details. This is not available as a public register.

Corby's HMOs 

Corby has a higher number of HMOs compared to other areas as it is historically an industrial town and attracts elevated levels of workers. This means there is a high demand for single room accommodation due to the work available locally. 

The house prices historically are low compared to other local areas and the town has agents who specialise in HMOs, which means that a significant number of investors have property portfolios here.

SERCO and asylum seekers

As of August 2025, we have issued 68 licenses to SERCO (the Government agency who house asylum seekers). This number fluctuates.

Non-licensable HMOs don't need planning permission so would not be subject to planning consultation. But these types of HMO still need to comply with the Housing Act 2004 and the HMO Management Regulations, so our team will always inspect to ensure that they are compliant.

Communicating with SERCO

SERCO checks with the council before they acquire a property. If we have any known concerns, we will provide feedback. Many properties are not procured in the end.

Our Resettlement team receives very basic information about who is residing in these properties, in preparation for when a decision is known about their asylum claim.

SERCO applies for HMO licences for properties with 5 or more occupants. We inspect these properties on an annual basis, but do not know the identity of any occupants and SERCO is not obliged to tell us. If any issues arise, SERCO is contacted to resolve these - this is the same procedure for any licenced HMO.

Last updated 13 October 2025