Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are houses that are split into bedsits or flats, or where there is a shared kitchen or bathroom.

Safety inspection

If you rent from a private landlord, we investigate these issues on your behalf:

• failure by your landlord to carry out repairs
• faulty gas appliances and carbon monoxide emissions – please contact the Private Sector Housing Office urgently
• fire safety measures
• provision of bathroom and kitchen facilities
• poor management

Landlords and tenants can get further information about the Council’s standards by contacting us.

If you live in a bedsit, flat or shared house and the conditions in the property are not up to standard, your landlord or owner is required to improve them.

The management regulations require the manager to ensure that the following:

• All means of water supply and drainage in the house are to be maintained, repaired, kept clean and be protected against frost damage. Tanks and cisterns should be cleaned and covered. The manager shall not unreasonably cause the supply of water, gas or electricity to be interrupted.
• 'Common Parts' such as staircases, passageways, corridors and entrances should be kept reasonably free from obstruction. All handrails and banisters and any stair coverings should be kept repaired or replaced or be provided where necessary for the safety of the residents.
• The supply of gas and electricity, for lighting and for space heating or heating water are maintained;
• WCs, baths, sinks, washbasins and installations for cooking and/or storing food are maintained in good repair, clean condition and are in good working order.
• All means of escape from fire in the house and alarm systems and other fire precaution equipment must be maintained properly and routes of escape kept free from obstruction.

Duties of Tenants

It is the duty of all tenants to ensure that the manager can effectively carry out his duties and they must:-

• allow the Manager access, at all reasonable times to any occupied room, that he may carry out his duties.
• comply with arrangements made by the Manager in respect of fire precautions or litter storage and disposal.
• take care not to hinder in any way the Manager in the performance of his duties.
• take reasonable care to avoid damaging anything which the Manager is under obligation to keep in good repair.