What is HMO Property?
HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is a living facility where 3 or more occupants who are not related to each other live together in separate bedrooms sharing common facilities like kitchen and bathroom etc. The tenants should not be related to each other and must belong to at least two different households.
Classification of HMO Property
HMO property is classified into two major categories depending upon the number of tenants or occupants living in it.
- Small HMO Property
Small HMO property can be categorized as small HMO when there are at least three tenants belonging to two different households living and sharing common facilities.
- Large HMO Property
A property can be termed as large HMO accommodation where a minimum of five tenants are residing, belonging to different households. Common facilities are also shared in large HMO-style property provided adequate number of shared facilities are provided according to the number of tenants living in that large HMO property.
HMO Property in Stoke on Trent
Stoke-on-Trent is a city with 6 towns. Stoke-on-Trent is a post industrial modern city. The foreign and local investments in the city bringing together businesses. Communities, public and private sectors. Due to increase in immigrants and settlers from other cities and countries it has become a popular place for investors and many foreign landlords invest in buying properties and converting them into HMO-style accommodations.
How To Find Best HMO Property in Stoke-On-Trent
Finding a property on rent can be a formidable task; whether you are hiring for the first time or you have been doing it in past. Every city and its HMO property has different requirements, standards and prerequisites to be met.
What To look For in an HMO Property in Stoke-on-Trent?
With a lot of HMO accommodation options to choose from; the tenants need to evaluate various aspects for assessing an HMO property in Stoke-on Trent.
- A trustworthy Landlord or Agent
When deciding for your HMO Accommodation the first and foremost thing is to look for a trusted landlord, who will clearly state all facts about his HMO property. He should be able to provide you with local council agreements, licenses, and authority permissions. A reliable HMO landlord will clearly state all steps of hiring the HMO accommodation and should take you for a physical tour of the property.
- Safety Standards maintained by that HMO Property
HMO landlords are instructed to maintain health and safety standards in order to comply with the rules of local authority and council dealing with HMO accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent. While deciding which HMO property to hire as a tenant, one must keep in mind the following basic standards that an HMO property should comply with, in order to meet the requirements set by local authorities.
Following is a list of standard obligations that an HMO landlord needs to fulfill before putting up an HMO accommodation for rent. As a tenant you must see how far the HMO property is conferring to these guidelines.
- Gas Safety: Annual gas safety checks of the property should be conducted.
- Fire Safety: Smoke and fire detectors and alarms should be fitted and maintained. Adequate number of fire extinguishers are installed throughout the living facility.
- Electrical Safety: All electrical wiring and outlets need regular maintenance and safety checkups. A detailed check-up by an authorized organization/person should be carried out every five years by an authorized with the issuance of an electrical safety certificate.
- Adequate Number of Facilities: Kitchen, bathrooms, washrooms, cleaning and other shared facilities should be in adequate number in accordance with the number of tenants living.
- Avoid Overcrowding: HMO property should not be overcrowded in terms of facility and tenants ratio.
- Communal Areas Maintenance: All communal and shared facilities should be maintained and kept clean and clear at all times. Landlords are responsible to ensure this.
- Garbage Disposal: Proper facility and adequate provision of garbage and rubbish disposable should be provided by landlords.
- Legionella assessment: Another standard to be met by HMO-style property is that landlords must have evidence of an up-to-date legionella risk assessment.
- HMO Licensing
HMO property licensing refers to the rules that are set by government which must be met in order to declare an HMO property safe for habitants.
By issuing the licensing to an HMO property the local authority and council give assurance about the safety and gives the right to the landlord to rent out the property.
Additional License Scheme For HMO Property in Stoke-on-Trent
Tenants must check with the landlord or the local council (at their website) about the issuance of an additional license scheme for respective HMO property. The “Housing Act 2004” also affords Councils the discretion to subject HMOs not subject to mandatory licensing to an ‘Additional HMO’ licensing scheme. Additional licensing is issued when the local council is concerned that a significant proportion of HMO property in Stoke-on-Trent is poorly managed, creating broader problems and falls outside the scope of the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
- Choosing the Right Location of HMO Property in Stoke-on-Trent
When looking for an ideal HMO property in Stoke-on-Trent one needs to consider a neighborhood where like-minded people would be renting the property, eventually you have to share living space with them. Some more key features to keep in mind while deciding which HMO property to hire are listed down. Choose an area that:
- You are already familiar with
- Is easily accessible
- Located closer to peoples hub (hospitals, universities, shops, cafes etc)
- Is near to public transport spots
- Layout Of the HMO Property
HMO property in Stoke-On-Trent are available in many different layouts and designs. You need to select the one that suits your needs and life-style. Some tenants would want to opt for a small HMO accommodation with fewer tenants having quiet and peaceful environment while some others would prefer residing in large HMO property with lots of people to socialize and interact with. Here are some of the HMO property styles available in Stoke-on-Trent. You can select the one that harmonizes best with your requirements.
- Shared Houses
- Blocks of Converted flats
- Accommodations for Employees
- Lodgings
- Private Halls segregated into Bedsits/rooms
- Buildings with bedsits and shared Facilities
- Refugee Camps with separate areas
- Buildings with flats and their own facilities
- Hostels
FAQs:
How to check if my hired property in Stoke on Trent is an HMO property?
The easiest way to check is that if there are 3 or more unrelated occupants living in a property belonging to at least 2 different households sharing a kitchen, toilet, bathroom, washrooms or other facilities, then your property is classed under an HMO-style accommodation.
However, if you are still uncertain you can check the licensing or can check with local authority if your hired property meets HMO property standards.
How do I know my rented HMO requires licensing?
Most HMO-style accommodations require licensing. A large HMO property cannot operate without getting a proper license
From the Stoke-on Trent local authority. If your HMO property has following features it must require a license;
- Any 3 story high building
- At least 5 tenants living in that property
- Shared facilities like washrooms, kitchen, toilets, and communal areas
Wind-Up:
If you are in search of the best HMO property in Stoke-on-Trent these tips will give you a complete insight about how to find the best HMO Accommodation for yourself in the area. Analyzing all distinct aspects of HMO Accommodation and assessing a property based on the criteria mentioned above will surely guide you in picking up the best HMO property to rent in Stoke-on-Trent.
