In recent years the government has increased legislation regarding Houses of Multiple Occupation, or HMOs as they are more commonly known. The exact specifications of an HMO vary from Council to Council but as a general rule an HMO is a large property with three or more floors and five or more unrelated residents who share communal facilities. In some conservation areas smaller homes will also require HMO licensing.
So what’s the point of HMO licensing? The regulations are designed so that every large house has to be inspected for health and safety and fire standards, making sure that the home you rent is safe and secure.
If you want to check that your home has an HMO license then you can visit your City Council’s website and search the register.
If your home is too small to be licensed you should keep a watchful eye for safety yourself. You can run through this checklist and raise any issues with your landlord.
• Have you been given the gas safety certificate and has this check been done within the last year?
• Is there an electrical safety certificate? (usually done once every 5 years)
• How will everyone know if there is a fire in time to leave before smoke blocks the exit route? Usually there should be smoke detectors and heat detectors which are interlinked and cover all areas where there is risk of fire plus exit routes check they all sound when you test one.
• Is the exit route from your room to the street well-protected from smoke? (e.g. by fire doors with self-closers)
• Have external doors got good quality locks? Is there a viewer and chair on the front door, big bolt(s) on the back door and window locks where windows can be reached?
Most councils also operate a Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which they use to assess the level of hazard in a property and take steps to pressure the landlord to remedy the situation.
If you have any concerns about your home then you should contact your university’s Accommodation Office.
