Student HMO regulations?

Student HMO regulations?

0:01 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago 6

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Hi, I need help to check if my son’s student HMO accommodation is compliant in respect of their shared kitchen and bedroom furniture provision.

Can anyone clarify the legal/planning requirements for a student HMO in Southwark:
(i) Minimum size of kitchen space required for 4 students sharing ?
(ii) Does the kitchen have to have a dining area/lounge and if so what is the minimum size?
(iii) Minimum size for a single bedroom?
(iv) Does the students single bedroom have to have furniture and if so what has to be included (E.g side table and a set of drawers and book shelf) – just a double bed and a single wardrobe is provided currently as the room is smallish?

Thanks,

A


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No hate plz

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10:51 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

i) I believe this depends on the council mine is 7m²
ii) I believe this depends on the council AND bedroom sizes (mine is if any of the bedrooms are less than 10m², then there has to be a separate room 11m² OR a combined kitchen/dinning room 18m2)
iii) 6.51m² that's the law.
iv) No, rooms can be let unfinished.

DPT

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10:53 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

The Council usually publishes their terms on their website. If not then ask them for a copy.

Yvonne Francis

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11:06 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

DAMIEN RAFFERTY

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11:07 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

I have sent a link to the Southwalk HMO website so I hope that it has appeared.
However you can check I few things yourself.
Check the Landlord has a licence
Check the fire safety
Smoke alarms and CO Alarm if Gas in property
Turnlocks on exit doors
Fire blanket
PAT testing stickers on Portable electrical appliances
Fire Risk Assessment
Contact details for Landlord /Agent
EPC, EICR, GSC ( has your Son or yourself seen them ?)
Each council has different rules
Many Landlords in London are selling up

Peter

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11:24 AM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

It’s important to know whether or not the students are signed up on one single tenancy agreement. If so, par testing is not required.

If so, then fire doors are not required but they must be close fitting and solid. I not eggshell doors.

But either way, he must have a license which is available publicly from the Council website. He must in any case have the electrical safety report pinned to a noticeboard. And also proof of his license pinned to a noticeboard. Plus a gas safety certificate pinned to the noticeboard valid within the last 12 months.

If it is not on a single tenancy, then he will require fire doors with intumescent strips and self closing mechanisms. How a piece of paper stops people burning to death I don’t know.

Irrespective of what kind of tenancy, the bedroom sizes depend if there is a communal lounge. You have not been clear about this.

If it is rented separately, different fire regulations apply. It is also important to know whether or not this is two or a 3 storey property including the basement.

You will find all the regulations in LACORS available free on the Internet. Just type in LACORS. It is very well and clearly written and is the law.

Knock yourself out

Simon F

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17:39 PM, 9th September 2024, About 2 months ago

A,
As others say there are local as well as national standards, so it depends where you are.
If you are in any doubt about the standard of accommodation for a Uni student, the best place to go for advice is the Uni's Student Housing office.

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