Sharing a flat without an HMO licence in Edinburgh

Bigger flats with multiple sharers require an HMO licence, but it is a general rule with some exceptions. Sometimes 3 or even 4 students can legally rent a non-HMO licence property. In short, Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) are any living accommodation occupied by more than 3 persons who are members of more than two families. The occupants of an HMO licence property would share a toilet, bathroom and kitchen.
Landlords and their family members should not be included in the ‘3 person’ limit: i.e. a landlord can let two bedrooms to two unrelated sharers and the HMO licence requirements would be triggered only if the said landlord wanted to let another bedroom to a third unrelated sharer. The number of unrelated tenants for HMO licence compliance is the same as if they lived in the property without the landlord or the landlord’s family member.