Standards for HMOs

All HMOs in Trafford must comply with the Council's HMO standards. These cover things like minimum room size, facilities and amenities. The property must also be free of serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

• Trafford Council's HMO standards
• Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The property must have adequate fire safety measures and comply with the recommendations in the LACORS Fire Safety Guide.

• Housing - Fire Safety, Guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing

You must also ensure that a fire safety risk assessment is made of the common areas, by a competent person. This is a legal requirement, enforced by the Fire Authority, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

What management regulations apply to HMOs?

There are two sets of ‘management regulations’.

• The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006
• The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions)(England) Regulations 2007

This legislation places certain duties on the individuals managing the property and non compliance with the regulations may result in prosecution or civil penalty.