Tenants advised to check homes are HMO-compliant

22 2008
Tenants have been advised to ensure that their landlords are complying with the government's Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing laws.

Under legislation introduced just two years ago, private landlords are required to ensure that, if their properties house multiple tenants, they have appropriate safety measures in place, not least adequate fire alarm systems.

However, while landlords can face fines of up to £20,000 for failing to comply with the laws, many are still attempting to cut corners, largely due to the cost of installing such measures.

Commenting on the implications of HMOs, Chris Horne, editor of Property Hawk, stated: "I think a lot of them have found it a nuisance. It's scared a lot of amateur landlords off doing HMOs because of the potential cost implications."

Just a few weeks ago Derby City Council revealed that it is due to launch a prosecution of private landlords who have neglected the HMO laws, making it the first local authority in the country to do so.

ADNFCR-1219-ID-18695628-ADNFCR

Related Articles
Rental investment remains strong in north-east
Investment in rental properties has remained sustained in the north-east...

Properties in the capital take 7.5% dive
Top properties in London are falling at record levels, it has been...

Pensioners could increase falls in property prices
Britain is currently home to 1.7 million pensioners who are relying on the...

BBA and Rics agree that housing market will not improve for months
The British Bankers Association (BBA) has suggested that house prices are...

House price declines 'slowing but not finished'
Recent slowdowns in the speed at which house prices are declining in value...