Enforcement

Houses which are occupied by people who don't live as a single household (bed-sits, flat-lets, hostels or "bed and breakfast" hotels) are known as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Fires are much more likely to occur in HMOs than in single family homes and the Council has drawn up a range of standards for amenities, overcrowding, cleanliness and general safety within such accommodation.

In consultation with the Fire Authority the Council can make landlords provide a safe means of escape from fire, together with the installation of other fire precautions including alarm systems.

All houses in multiple occupation are given a risk assessment rating which takes into account such factors as the type of occupation , number of residents, condition of the premises and confidence in the owner's ability to manage the house properly.

This rating determines the frequency of visits to these properties and where, on inspection, officers discover problems such as dampness, disrepair, or inadequate fire precautions, a statutory notice can be served on the landlord, requiring him to carry out a wide range of essential repairs and improvements.

Important: For information on our enforcement policy see Directorate of Environmental Health Enforcement Policy. [PDF file] File size (383KB).