What is the legal definition of a HMO?
Under the Housing Act 2004, a building or part of a building is an HMO if:
- It meets the stand test
- It meets the self-contained flat test
- It meets the converted building test
- A declaration notice is in force
- It is a coverted block of flats
Duties of the HMO Manager
Under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 managers must ensure that good conditions are maintained.
The Managers of HMOs Duties leaflet explains what is required by the regulations in relation to the following provisions:
- Safety of Residents
- Refuse and Litter
- Windows & Ventilation
- Commual Areas
- Individual Living Areas
- Water & Fuel Supplies
- Provision of information
Duties of Residents
Residents must:
- Allow the Manager reasonable access to carry out their duties
- Give the Manager any information they need in order to carry out their duties
- Comply with reasonable arrangements for fire safety and refuse disposal
Residents must not:
- Hinder the Manager in the performance of their duties
- Cause damage to anythign which the Manger must keep in repair
What happens if the Manager does not manage the property correctly?
If a manager has failed to manage a property correctly and has breached the regulations, the Council will take action.
Managers are notified of any breaches by a formal letter stating
- The contraventions observed
- works required to be carried out
- a timescale for completion
Failure to resolve these breaches may lead to prosecution.
If the management of the property is so poor that it presents an imminent risk to the health, safety, and well-being of the tenants, the council has the power to take action against the Manager without giving notice of the defects.
If taken to court, Managers may face fines of up to £5,000 for each regulation that has been breached.
A Civil Penalty Notice may be issued as an alternative to prosecution.