Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

An HMO is a house which is occupied by more than one household. This could be anything from a house divided into bed sits with a shared kitchen or bathroom, to a rented house where the tenants do not occupy it as a typical family would. We make sure that there are enough sinks, cookers and toilets for the residents. We also make sure that the building is safe, in good repair, has an adequate means of escape from fire and a means of detecting fire.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 (FSO) places duties on the person having control of an HMO to have fire precautions in place, to make sure the property is safe and to carry out fire risk assessments. The following guidance documents about risk assessments can be of assistance: A Short Guide to the FSO and HM Government Guide.

We have produced a comprehensive HMO pack, which provides a lot of useful information for both landlords and tenants in this type of property. It includes advice to tenants on the standards they can expect, their responsibilities and there are four further advice sheets for landlords covering grants, notices, means of escape and the standards for accommodation that the Council has adopted.

Please contact the Residential Services Team, and we will send you an HMO pack.

If you wish to make a request for advice on multiple occupancy homes, please use our online form or contact us directly.

Contact the Residential Team

If you have any questions or comments please contact the Residential Team

Civic Centre,
44 York Street,
Twickenham
TW1 3BZ

Telephone: 020 8487 5123
Fax: 020 8831 6404
Email: residentialeh@richmond.gov.uk