Houses in Multiple Occupation: Required Standards for Licensing

Related Information

Back to top of page...

Washing Facilities

HMOs should have:

• One separate toilet with wash hand basin and tiled splash back for every five occupiers
• One bathroom with bath or shower and constant hot and cold running water for every five occupiers.  This may also contain a toilet.
• If there are less than five people, they can share a bath/shower which incorporates a toilet.
• Bathrooms and shower rooms must have adequate heating and ventilation.
• All washing facilities must have adequate size and layout, be fit for purpose and suitably located.

Back to top of page...

Kitchen Facilities

• Shared kitchens must be suitably located and laid out, and provide adequate facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food for the number of people occupying the property.
• Shared kitchens must include sinks (with drainers), hot and cold water supply, cookers, electrical sockets, work surfaces, cupboards, fridge/freezers, refuse disposal facilities, extractor fans, fire blankets and fire doors as necessary (for more information about fire precautions in kitchens, please read our Fire Precaution information.

Back to top of page...

Heating

• Each unit of living accommodation in an HMO must be equipped with adequate heating.

We are currently developing a 'best practice guide' for HMO standards, which will provide detailed guidance on quantities and placement of amenities and facilities in properties of various types and sizes.

Sometimes properties may not comply exactly with the required standards, but still be deemed to have reasonable facilities.  In these cases, landlords may be given an agreed period of time in which to meet these standards, as a condition of the licence.  For a summary of which conditions might be applied to a licence, please read our What is in a Licence? information.

Back to top of page...

Management Regulations for Licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation

Management Regulations apply to all Houses in Multiple Occupation in the private sector, not just those covered by mandatory licensing.  This means that any person operating a property where three or more people from two or more households are sharing amenities must comply with these regulations.

The regulations require the person having control of the property to:

• Provide all occupiers with contact information
• Maintain all fire safety measures
• Protect occupiers from injury
• Maintain water and drainage systems
• Maintain gas and electricity supplies
• Maintain common parts and installations
• Ensure that the property is clean and fit at the time of letting, and maintained as such
• Provide waste disposal facilities

Tenants in HMOs are specifically required to cooperate in the management of the property, avoid nuisance and annoyance to neighbours and other occupiers, and comply with reasonable instructions regarding means of escape and fire precautions.

Back to top of page...