Types of Housing in Multiple Occupation

There are 6 recognised types of Housing in Multiple Occuption (HMO):

• Accommodation with separate lettings, for example bedsits. Houses occupied as individual rooms where there is some exclusive occupation and some sharing of facilities (such as a kitchen or bathroom) and a common living room, may be provided for persons with no other permanent place of residence and each occupant or household lives independently of all others.

• Shared Houses. Houses normally occupied by members of a defined social group, fro example students or a group of young single adult friends. This standard will also normally apply to small scale lodgings. The occupiers each enjoy exclusive use of a bedroom but would share other facilities including a common living space. The anticipated duration of the occupancy will often be finite and occupiers may spend short periods away (for example holidays). This standard is not intended to apply to purpose built student accommodation.

• Halls of Residence and other similar establishments. Houses with some degree of shared facilities where occupation would normally be by people who’s accommodation is ancillary to their employment or education and is made available through their employer or in connection with a recognised educational establishment.

• Hostels, Guesthouses and Bed and Breakfast. Occupation would normally be by people with no other permanent place of residence as opposed to hotels which provide accommodation for temporary visitors to an area. This type of house in multiple occupation would include premises used by Local Authorities for temporary accommodation pending permanent placement for people who would otherwise be homeless. It would also include bona fide hotels used for such purposes, even on a casual basis, and hotels housing a mixture of homeless households and visitors.

• Residential Care homes and similar establishments. Under the Care Standards Act 2000, where personal care is provided, the premises are subject to regulation and inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). The CSCI consult with the Fire Authority regarding means of escape in case of fire and may consult with Local Authorities regarding other standards. Where no “personal care” is provided and the occupants are “supported” then it is likely that the standards required will be those of a bedsit Housing in Multiple Occuption.

• Self-Contained Flats. This includes houses or other buildings which by erection or conversion comprise of dwellings which are self-contained and to which access is via a single front door from a common area. There is no sharing of amenities with the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings. While the opportunity should be taken via the Planning and Building Control processes to encourage proper standards, particularly of space and layout, many existing houses in this category will be occupied by long-term leaseholders and it is not intended to enforce discretionary standards against such people. The only exception to this is means of escape in case of fire as occupiers cannot be permitted to jeopardise the safety of their neighbours.