A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is defined under sections 254 and 257 of the Housing Act 2004.
Types of HMO may include house and flat shares, student homes, bedsits and buildings converted into self-contained flats. To be classed as an HMO it will be covered by one of these descriptions:
Section 254 HMOs
These include:
- a house that is occupied by persons forming more than one household who share an amenity, such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities
- a flat that is occupied by persons forming more than one household who share an amenity, such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities, that is within the flat
- a building converted into flats, not all of which are self-contained
Section 257 HMOs
These include a converted block of flats where:
- part or all of the building has been converted entirely into self-contained flats
- the conversion did not meet the Building Regulations 1991 (or later)
- fewer than two-thirds of the flats are owner-occupied
All large HMOs must be licensed by the local authority, while regulations differ when it comes to smaller HMOs. In all cases, while it’s not technically a legal requirement, it may be necessary to have completed PAT testing in order to achieve a local council licence. In any event, carrying out regular PAT testing is an efficient way of making sure that the electrical appliances within your HMO are safe to use. As well as reassuring your tenants, PAT testing gives landlords peace of mind that the risk of fire due to a faulty appliance is significantly reduced.
While having a valid PAT testing certificate is advisable but not compulsory, HMO landlords – in common with all landlords within the UK – must have an EICR inspection carried out at least every five years. An EICR – or Electrical Installation Condition Report – covers the following areas:
- the consumer unit – also known as the fusebox or distribution board
- any cables, including those hidden in the walls and ceilings
- electrical accessories such as sockets, switches and light fittings
Finally, statistics indicate that people occupying an HMO are more at risk of dying or being seriously injured than those in any other rental property. It’s therefore advisable to arrange a fire risk assessment which will identify any fire hazards within the HMO and confirm what changes need to be made to ensure that everyone can exit the building quickly and safely should a fire break out.
At MS Electrical we offer electrical safety testing for landlords and HMO owners – including PAT testing and fixed wire testing – in Cambridge. Please contact us for advice or to request a no-obligation quotation.