Does my shared house need a licence, and what happens if it doesn't have one?Beta*

A house shared by five or more people from two or more households is a large HMO and must be licensed by the council. Many councils also license smaller shared houses, or all rented homes in some areas. Ask the council or check its public register. If a house that needs a licence doesn't have one, the landlord is committing an offence, and you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a rent repayment order to get back rent you paid while it was unlicensed.

Sources: GOV.UK: HMO licensingShelter: rent repayment orders