HMO Property Management Regulations for Managers & Occupiers

Students from worldwide prefer the UK for studies as the nation provides a great educational system. This increases the demand for the student accommodation market to meet the rising supply of off-campus accommodation. 

With the increasing number of HMOs in the UK, the government is taking important steps to ensure the smooth running of these properties. These HMO management regulations state the clear duties and responsibilities of the managers and occupiers to maintain the place's elegance. In this article, we will discuss in detail the HMO management regulations to ensure safety, hygiene, and the maintenance of the overall property.  

HMO Management Regulations & Rules 

HMOs are shared by three or more people who aren’t part of the same household and share some of the common amenities such as the bathroom, kitchen, and other house facilities & supplies. To ensure the smooth running of these properties, there are a set of rules and regulations made for HMO management. Let’s dive deeper into the HMO management regulations and understand better the rules laid for managers and occupants. 

1. HMO license types and conditions 

As per the Housing Act 2004, certain housing types require mandatory licensing. There are a few conditions that need to be met in order for HMOs to be valid for licensing. Not just this, there are a few types of HMOs that require a license.  This requires standard tests and converted building tests. Let’s get straight into it.

1. If the HMO is occupied by five or more people, and if there is more than 1 household occupied, then mandatory licensing is required for the property. 
2. If the occupants of the property share facilities such as a toilet, bathroom, kitchen, etc., then they need to have a valid HMO license to function.
3. If at least one of the tenants pays rent or either it is paid by the employer. 

In order to run a licensed HMO, there are a few conditions that must be met first. Such as - 

1. If the house is suitable for the occupants depending on the size and facilities. 
2. The property manager or owner is considered to be fit & has no criminal record or background. 
3. All the utility certificates are updated.
4. Smoke alarms are installed and maintained as well.
5. Safety certifications for electrical appliances should be available as and when required.

There are a few exceptions where a few buildings are exempted from the HMO licensing. 

2. Managers Should Provide Basic Information to the Occupants

The most important and foremost of all the HMO management regulations is the transparency between the manager and the occupant. Managers are responsible for providing occupants with basic information about themselves, which covers their name, address, and telephone number. 

3. Fire safety 

HMO managers are expected to abide by fire safety rules and regulations to ensure that the property is safe and secure. There are a few requirements that must be met, such as fitting fire doors, mains-connected smoke alarms, C02 alarms, and fire alarms, and supplying fire extinguishers and fire communal blankets in common areas. These are a few basic necessities required by HMO owners or managers to take into account. Check out this news article for more details on fire safety for HMOs.

4. Gas & Electricity 

Another one of the HMO property management regulations is to supply and maintain gas and electricity. In this, managers are expected to supply the council with a copy of the latest gas appliance and certificate. Not just for this, but the HMO property managers are also required to do timely inspections of the electrical appliances in under five years. Another thing that is highlighted in the HMO property management regulations is that the managers can not interrupt the supply of gas and electricity to the tenants. 

5. Room Size 

As part of the important HMO property regulations, property managers need to make sure that the rooms are not overcrowded and meet the minimum standards. This is one of the deciding factors in getting HMO licensing hence, property managers or owners are expected to pay great attention while renting the property. 

6. Waste Management 

To ensure a healthy environment, this property management regulation emphasises the importance of waste management. HMO property managers or owners are required to provide sufficient waste storage facilities and bins to the occupants so that waste material can be stored in a tidy manner. 

7. Furniture 

Furniture and other important intellectual material at the housing property should be neat & clean and in the best of conditions before it is handed over to the occupants. The property managers are responsible for ensuring that the internal structure, fixtures, fittings, appliances, windows and ventilations are all kept in good condition. Handrails and bannisters should be provided wherever it is required for the safety of the occupants. 

8. Water Supply

Another one of the important property management regulations is that the water supply must be adequately met without any interruption. Apart from this, the property managers are also expected to ensure that the water storage facility is duly covered and maintained to avoid any leakage. The water fitting is also expected to be protected from frost damage so that the occupants wouldn’t have to worry about this later. 

9. Additional Requirements 

Some of the additional requirements that need to be considered and are part of the HMO property management regulations are as follows:

• Property managers are expected to keep all means of escape open for the occupants. This covers exit doorways, hallways, and entrance halls, which should be free from obstruction.
• Access to damaged balconies or rooftops should be prevented, and property owners should ensure that occupants will not access it. 
• Another thing that property managers should ensure is that the bars or safeguards should be installed on the windows so that occupants can feel safe in the house. 
• If there are any gardens in the vicinity, then it's the duty of the HMO manager to keep them tidy & clean, and they should be maintained properly. 

Now that we have discussed the duties of the managers of the HMO let’s take a look at the responsibilities of the occupants as well. 

HMO property management regulations for Occupants 

As much as it is the responsibility of the manager to keep the property clean and well-maintained, there are a few roles and responsibilities that an occupant need to take care of. Let’s dive into it right away - 

1. An occupant is expected to maintain the decorum of the household and should not hinder the manager when it comes to performing his/her duties. 
2. Occupants are expected to take proper care of the property in order to avoid any damage. 
3. Regarding fire regulations rules and regulations, the occupants are expected to comply with the instructions given by the managers in order to ensure the safety and security of the occupants. 
4. Another one of the important HMO management regulations is that the occupants are expected to give proper access to the managers as and when required. 

This was the list of some of the important HMO property management regulations that can make occupants stay comfortable and happy. These regulations are made keeping in mind the safety and security of students and occupants. In order to ensure timely HMO management, both managers and occupiers should ensure that these rules are followed with utmost diligence and care for the smooth running of the property. To learn more about the student housing market and how you can use for your benefit, list with amber today.