The Housing Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 regulations apply to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) other than converted blocks of flats to which section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 applies. Management Regulations to cover Section 257 HMO’s are expected in October 2007.

The HMO management regulations place a number of duties upon the manager of a HMO. Both Landlords and Managing Agents should ensure they are compliant with these regulations on an ongoing basis. Failure to comply may result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5000 for each offence.

• Duty to Supply Information – The name, address and a contact telephone number for the manager must be clearly displayed in a prominent position within the HMO.
  
• Duty to Maintain Fire Safety Measures – All escape routes must be kept safe and free from obstruction. Alarms, detection and extinguishers must maintain and certificated. Appropriate fire escape signs must be displayed if occupancy exceeds 4 persons.
  
• Duty to Protect Occupiers from Injury – Appropriate safeguards must be maintained in relation to roofs, balconies and low windowsills.
  
• Duty to Maintain Water Supply and Drainage – all services and fittings shall be maintained in good, clean working order and free from frost damage.
  
• Duty to supply and maintain Gas and Electricity – the fixed electrical installation must be inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years, certificates to be supplied to the local authority within 7 days of a request. Neither gas nor electricity supplies should be unreasonably interrupted.
  
• Duty to maintain common parts, fixtures, fittings and appliances - should all be kept clean, in good repair and in good working order. These include gas, electric, lighting, heating, hot water, toilets, baths, wash-basins, sinks, cookers, fridges, food storage, windows, ventilation, yards, paths, gardens and so on.
  
• Living accommodation - each room must be kept in good repair and installations in good working order. Each room must be in a clean condition at the beginning of the tenant’s occupation.
  
• Disposal of refuse and litter - litter must not be allowed to accumulate and bins adequate to the requirements of the tenants should be provided.

You can use this link to download Derby City Council's Guide to the management of houses in multiple occupation and shared houses 177Kb.    

You can see the Statutory Instrument for HMOs on the Office of Public Sector Information web page Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 .

For more information on our services, or to contact us for advice about housing standards, please contact us using the details below, or by using the form at the bottom of this page:

Housing Standards Team,
Housing and Advice Services,
PO Box 6323,
Derby,
DE1 2WW

Telephone: 01332 255 160
Minicom: 01332 255 316
Email: Housing.Standards@derby.gov.uk