HMO Landlords are subject to much stricter regulations than those Landlords who own single let properties. On top of any conditions related to the HMO Licence that your property may hold, under HMO Management Regulations, Landlords are legally required to ensure their property meets the following regulations.
Contact details of HMO Manager/Landlord
In an HMO, the contact details of the HMO manager must clearly be on display in a prominent position, in the common parts. This must include their name, address, and a telephone number. We would recommend that this is laminated or framed to ensure it keeps.
Fire Safety
The HMO Manager must ensure that fire exits are kept clear at all times and equipment relating to fire safety, such as fire alarms and extinguishers, are kept in good repair. A fire risk assessment will also need to be undertaken, as will regular testing of the fire alarms.
General Safety
Whilst HMO Management Regulations are very broad with their general safety terms, it is stated that everything possible is done to “protect the occupiers of the HMO from injury”. Not only does this refer to the structure & design of the property but also the number of inhabitants.
Water Provision
It is essential that the water supply, pipes & drains are maintained in a clean and working order. This also includes anything relating to the water supply in the HMO such as water tanks, taps, showering facilities and toilets.
Gas & Electricity Safety
HMOs must have a gas safety certificate each year and an EICR every 5 years. The regulation also outlines how the gas & electricity cannot be turned off with unreasonable cause.
Maintenance of Common Parts
Common parts refers to any parts of the HMO that are used by 2 or more separate households. This includes, but is not limited to, kitchens, outbuildings, walls & fences, hallways, stairs and any handrails, light fittings or fixtures located in these areas.
As an HMO Landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that common parts are maintained to a safe working condition, free of obstruction and are in good, clean repair.
Cleanliness of Living Accommodation
Ensure that all rooms and furniture provided are clean when the tenant moves in. Ensure that the internal structure is maintained, including fixtures, fittings and appliances. Also, be sure that all windows & ventilation methods in the property are in good working order.
Disposal of Rubbish
You must ensure that there are enough bins provided for the property, ensuring there is also adequate storage. Remember to take into account the number of people in your property when deciding this. We would recommend you let your tenants know their rubbish collection day, and when on inspections you should ensure that they have been regularly putting their bins out for collection.
It’s important for HMO landlords to manage their properties well, not only as part of your legal requirement, but also because it helps attract and retain good tenants, and also maintain your property. At Elliot Leigh, we specialise in alleviating the challenges and uncertainties associated with renting HMO properties by adopting full property management responsibilities. Click here to find out more.
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