An HMO is a house, which is occupied by three or more people who do not form a single household.
Examples include:
- A house let as individual bedsitting rooms.
- A group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants.
- Hostels, some hotels, guesthouses.
- Lodgings, and shared houses.
- Houses converted into self-contained flats.
We are responsible for checking HMOs to make sure they meet certain standards.
These include:
- A means of escape in case of fire and other fire precautions.
- Amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms toilets and wash hand basins.
- No overcrowding with regards to the number and size of rooms.
- A general fitness for occupation.
- The management standards gas safety.
- furniture fire safety.
It must also comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 and the Housing Act 2004.