Sharing a flat without an HMO licence in Edinburgh. In non-HMO, there are three or four individuals sharing facilities (from two or more unrelated households). There are a few exceptions to the general rule that larger flats with multiple occupants require an HMO licence. Sometimes 3 or even 4 students can legally rent a non-HMO property. In short, Houses of Multiple Occupations are any living accommodation occupied by more than 3 persons who are members of more than two families. The occupants of a non-HMO property would share a toilet and /or bathroom and/or kitchen.