Page last updated at 12:16 GMT, Thursday, January 26 2012

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) include shared houses, bedsits, buildings converted into flats where one or more of the units is not fully self contained and fully self-contained flats which do not meet the 1991 Building Regulations standard. For further details on what forms an HMO please see our web page 'What is an HMO?

HMOs provide an important source of accommodation with the borough.  However, HMOs not up to an appropriate standard and/or poorly managed can create problems including:-

• Overcrowding;
• Inadequate kitchens, bathrooms or toilets;
• A greater risk of fire and
• Disrepair

In deciding whether an HMO is suitable for occupation consideration needs to be given to a wide range of matters that include:-

• Are room sizes sufficient?
• Are fire precautions and means of escape in case of fire suitable and satisfactory?
• Are lighting, heating and ventilation adequate?
• Are there suitable and sufficient facilities for the preparation and cooking of food, including sinks with a supply of hot and cold water are provided?
• Are there sufficient and suitably located toilets, baths or showers and wash-hand basins, and does each have a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water?

For a copy of our HMO Standards Guidance document contact Private Sector Housing on 023 8068 8329. The Council's HMO Standards Guidance document aims to assist landlords to design, improve and maintain HMOs to a reasonable standard.

Guidance on fire safety precautions required in HMOs is detailed in the LACORS (Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services) Housing Fire Safety guidance (August 2008).  A copy of this guidance may be downloaded from www.lacors.gov.uk

To ensure that works meet with the Local Authority's requirements, prior to carrying out any fire safety precaution landlords should provide details of proposed works (including a plan) to: Private Sector Housing, Housing and Environmental Health, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh  SO50 9YN, and await confirmation that these meet with the Local Authority's requirements.

In addition to the the physical condition of the HMO, effective management needs to ensure that the behaviour of the tenants does not have a detrimental impact upon the immediate neighbours or wider locality.  For example, noise and accumulations of rubbish can be significant causes of concern for local residents.

In some cases planning permission will be required for a property to be used as an HMO and owners should check with Development Control who can be contacted on 023 8068 8264.