HMO clarification

HMO Licensing

We have got a situation where there are two cousins and a mother and all of them want to go onto the lease.

Our question is would this constitute as a HMO?

The property is situated in Wolverhampton and below is what the estate agents have confirmed to us
after asking them to confirm the relationship further.

Estate Agents response:

'As discussed the lady and her cousin are related by blood making him the mothers Nephew.
I can assure you strongly that this is not classed as a HMO as from experience within the industry as a
letting agent, we have had other families like this move into single properties as a family and it has
still fell in lines with not being a HMO.

All applicants will be on the tenancy and I have confirmed with the first tenant that all tenants will
be responsible for paying rent and bills.

The household income comes to a total of %C2£58,400.
For someone to be able to rent this property the household income needs to meet at least %C2£20,850.
So as you can see the above applicants earn more than required to pass affordability referencing.

As explained previously, all three tenants, will all be on the tenancy.

As for proving that the first and second potential tenants are cousins, currently there are no
documents that can be provided to prove that they are cousins. I am happy to ask the tenants to put
in writing to confirm this so if the council were to get in contact with you, we have this document
as proof of the relationship?'

I would appreciate the advice.

Thank you.