Managing houses in multiple occupation

Houses in Multiple Occupation regulations place a duty on the manager of the property to provide and maintain safe living conditions to protect the tenants from risk of injury.

Responsibilities

The manager/person responsible for managing the house shall ensure that the requirements of the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 are met.

Summary of the regulations

• The manager must make sure that their contact details are provided to the occupants and displayed within the property in the case of an emergency.
• The manager must make sure that means of escape from fire such as the escape route should be kept free from obstruction and maintained in good order and repair and where necessary provide notices.
• Fire-fighting equipment and fire alarm systems are to be maintained in good working order.
• The manager must take reasonable measure to protect the tenants from injury, which may be caused by the design and structural conditions of the property and the number of people occupying it.
• Water supply and drainage to the property should be maintained in good working order and repair.
• Gas and electrical supplies and installations should be maintained in good working order and in constant supply. A gas safety certificate must be available where applicable and supplied on request by the council.
• Fixed electrical installation must be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified and competent person and a certificate to be obtained, which may be requested for by the council. 
• Common parts, fixtures, fittings and appliances must be maintain in good and clean decorative repair, maintained in a safe and working condition and kept reasonably clear from obstruction.
• Living accommodation, and installations and appliances provided, should be kept clean and in good repair and order. Each room should be in a clean condition at the beginning of the tenant's occupation of it.
• Windows and ventilation should be maintained in good order.
• Provision should be made for adequate disposal of refuse and litter.

Failure to comply may result in prosecution, which incurs an unlimited fine. We will notify the manger of the works needed to comply with the regulations:

What tenants must do

Tenants must:

• allow access to the manager at reasonable times and provide information necessary to carry out their management duties
• comply with the manager's arrangements, including those for means of escape from fire, refuse and storage and disposal
• not damage the property

Further information

• Houses in multiple occupation
• Houses in multiple occupation licensing and how to apply for a licence
• Fire safety in houses in multiple occupation

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