HMO licensing in Midlothian
Mandatory, Additional and Selective licensing schemes plus the current Article 4 direction status for converting a dwelling into a small HMO.
Verdict: C3 to C4 HMO conversion
Article 4 status not yet confirmed for this council
Scotland uses the Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order rather than Article 4 directions to manage HMO concentration. Check this council's Local Development Plan for the local rules.
Mandatory HMO licensing
Statutory- Threshold
- 3+ occupants from 2+ households (Scotland-wide statutory rule)
- Fee range
- Set by the council, typically £600-£1,400
- Licence duration
- 3 years
Mandatory licensing is a statutory rule, every council in England and Wales must operate it for properties meeting the threshold.
Additional HMO licensing
Not in forceWe have not yet researched whether this council operates an Additional HMO Licensing scheme. Verify with the council before assuming.
Selective licensing
Not in forceWe have not yet confirmed whether this council operates a Selective Licensing scheme. Verify with the council.
Verify before relying on this data. Licensing schemes are renewed every 3-5 years and Article 4 directions can be added or revoked between renewals. This entry was last reviewed on 15 May 2026. The council's own planning and licensing pages are the canonical source. Use this page as a starting point for your due diligence, not the final word.
Buying a property to convert to an HMO?
Our Investor-tier property report includes an Article 4 + licensing check for the specific address, plus yield, ROI, cashflow and HMO market data.