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Guidance on the Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

BENCHMARK STANDARDS

Introduction

The primary reason for the introduction of mandatory licensing of HMOs is to increase the protection that is given to tenants in such establishments, by ensuring that the accommodation provided is safe and of good quality. The nature of HMOs varies widely, but many of the most vulnerable members of society live in accommodation within this sector.

Newly built HMOs must meet the Technical Standards applied to all new buildings of the relevant purpose group. The same applies to conversions, alterations and where there is a change of use. It may be impossible to apply all those standards to older properties that are already HMOs. The benchmark standards below are to be used in the inspection of HMOs that are not newly built. These benchmark standards are intended to provide reference points for local authorities when deciding if a particular HMO offers an acceptable level of accommodation. However, an assessment may show that it is possible to achieve an equivalent level of accommodation or safety through different packages of measures and that would be equally acceptable.

The diagram below shows the relationship between HMO licensing and obtaining a warrant for building work.

Some of these benchmark standards have been extracted from the Technical Standards that apply to newly built HMOs. Others are based on existing practice, for example in environmental health matters, in areas where discretionary licensing exists. In considering the standards to apply, the working group that drew up the guidance was mindful of the need to set a reasonable level of accommodation and safety that could be met without placing too great a burden on the owners of HMOs.

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