Does my landlord need a special licence for our shared house in Manchester?

In your situation, you are living in a house with four other flatmates, making a total of five people. Under the Housing Act 2004, your home may be classified as an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation), which is a property rented by at least three people who are not from the same family and share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom. Whether your landlord needs a licence depends on two main factors. First, the law provides for "HMOs to be licensed by local housing authorities where... they are required to be licensed under this Part" [cite:uk-housing-act-2004-sec55]. This means if your house meets the legal description of an HMO, it might require a licence. Second, the rules can change depending on where you live in Manchester. A local authority has the power to designate "either— a the area of their district, or b an area in their district, as subject to additional licensing" [cite:uk-housing-act-2004-sec56]. This is known as 'additional licensing.' If your specific street or neighborhood has been designated this way, your landlord must have a licence even if the house doesn't meet the standard national HMO criteria. Because your landlord was dismissive when you asked about registration, it is currently uncertain if he is complying with these rules. The law does not state here exactly what the specific 'prescribed description' of an HMO is for five occupants, nor does it confirm if Manchester has designated your specific area for additional licensing. Therefore, we cannot say for certain if your landlord is breaking the law without checking the Manchester City Council's specific licensing maps and descriptions.