Some of the worst housing conditions are to be found in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), including disrepair, inadequate means of escape from fire, lack of basic amenities and unsatisfactory management.
The Housing Act 2004 defines an HMO as a building, or part of a building, which includes more than one unit of accommodation, and in which the occupiers share basic amenities. The building must be the main residence of the occupiers and they must pay rent (or equivalent).
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) enables local authorities to take action requiring owners of private sector HMOs (as well as properties in single occupation) to carry out necessary work to remove or minimise health and safety hazards.
The Act also requires all HMOs of three storeys or more, and five or more occupants to be licensed by the local housing authority.