Step By Step – Property Specification, Certificates and Regulations Guide for HMO Landlords
HMOs do have some extended regulations to comply with compared to single family properties, largely related to fire safety
HMO Licence
Required if the property is rented to 5 or more individuals
Required if the property is 3 storeys
Fire Regulations
Fire doors to all communal and bedrooms
Doors to have fire intumescent seal, door closure either perko or overhead
Thumbturn locks to bedrooms & exits
Fire blanket & fire extinguishers in kitchen
Installation of mains interconnect fire alarm in all communal rooms, bedrooms
Heat detector in kitchen
If the property is 3 storeys or higher an appropriate fire alarm system with a central panel is required
CO alarm in kitchen, near boiler, rooms with fire heater
Emergency lights required in communal areas, passageways to exists, stairs
Safety Certificates
Gas certificate to be carried out annually & display cp12 on notice board in house
Electrical installation safety certificate (Electrical Installation Condition Report) for the period the electrician deems its required from 1 to 5 years
Fire alarm certificate required every 12 months
Emergency light certificate every 12 months
Fire panel alarm systems to be certified every 6 months
Furniture & Furnishing Regulation
Furnishing & upholstered furniture supplied by HMO landlords must meet fire resistance requirements
Minimum Room Sizes
Bedrooms
6.51 square meters for a single occupant
10.22 square meters if occupied by 2 people
Communal & kitchen Minimum sizes
