Rules for renting out houses divided into flats
By law, those who manage HMO properties must:
- provide all occupiers with the manager's name, address and telephone number, this information must be clearly displayed within in the property
- ensure that all fire escapes are clear of any obstacles and that they are kept in good order, to ensure that all fire safety measures are maintained in good working order and that adequate fire safety measures are in place with regards to the design, structural conditions and number of occupiers in the HMO
- maintain adequate water supply and drainage to the dwelling
- not unreasonably cause the electric and gas supply to be interrupted
- ensure that every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested by a suitably qualified person, at intervals not exceeding five years
- provide the electrical and gas inspection certificates within seven days of receiving a request of writing from the local housing authority
- ensure that all common parts of the HMO are maintained in good decorative order, and safe and working condition. This includes out-buildings, boundaries and gardens
- ensure each unit of living accommodation and its contents are clean before occupiers move in and are maintained in good repair and clean working order throughout the occupation by the tenant
- must provide adequate facilities to dispose of all waste produced by the property.
The tenant must:
- allow the manager access to the accommodation at all reasonable times to carry out the above duties
- conduct themselves in a way that will not hinder or frustrate the manager in the performance of their duties
- take reasonable care to avoid damaging the landlord's property
- store and dispose of waste properly
- comply with reasonable instructions regarding fire safety at the property.