If you rent out a property you must make sure that it is safe for the tenants and that it complies with the relevant legal standards and minimum energy efficiency standards.
Common problems tenants experience include:
- Damp and mould
- Inadequate heating and excess cold
- Risk of falls
- Electrical defects
- Overcrowding
- Lack of smoke alarms
Tenants should report problems to their landlord in the first instance. If the necessary repairs are not carried out, they may ask the council for help.
The council uses the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess housing hazards that could affect the occupants' health and safety.
The council also enforces other legislation related to housing conditions that it may ask you to comply with.
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Your home is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if both of the following apply:
- At least three tenants live there, forming more than one household
- You share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants
If you rent out a property as a HMO there are additional standards that the property needs to meet. If the property is a large HMO (five or more people) you will need a licence. Please see our HMO page.
