Rights and responsibilities in a shared home

Extra legal protection in shared housing

Your landlord has extra legal responsibilities if the home you rent is a house in multiple occupation or HMO.

The extra rules are there to reduce the risk of fire and to make sure that people living in shared houses or flats have decent facilities. 

Extra responsibilities of HMO landlords

Landlords of HMOs must make sure that:

• proper fire safety measures are in place – for licensed HMOs smoke detectors must be installed
• annual gas safety checks are carried out
• electrics are checked every 5 years
• the property is not overcrowded
• there are adequate cooking and washing facilities
• communal areas and shared facilities are clean and in good repair
• there are enough rubbish bins/bags

Is your home a house in multiple occupation?

Your home is probably an HMO if:

• three or more unrelated people live there as at least 2 separate households – for example, 3 single people with their own rooms, or 2 couples each sharing a room
• the people living there share basic amenities – for example, a kitchen and/or bathroom

An HMO could be:

• a house split into separate bedsits
• a shared house or flat, where the sharers are not members of the same family
• a hostel
• a bed-and-breakfast hotel that is not just for holidays
• shared accommodation for students – although many halls of residence and other types of student accommodation owned by educational establishments are not classed as HMOs

Your landlord is responsible for any repairs to communal areas of your home.

They are also responsible for repairs to:

• the structure and exterior of the house – including the walls, window frames and gutters
• water and gas pipes
• electrical wiring
• basins, sinks, baths and toilets
• fixed heaters (radiators) and water heaters

As a tenant, you are usually responsible for minor repairs to the living areas and for fixing any items you own. Check your rental agreement to find out who's responsible for what.

Read more about responsibility for repairs in private rented homes.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/houses_in_multiple_occupation