The council is responsible for checking Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's) to make sure they are in a satisfactory and safe condition, have satisfactory means of escape from fire, have adequate kitchens and bathrooms and have adequate space and proper management.

A House in Multiple Occupation is a house which is occupied by people who do not form a single household. Examples include:

• Shared houses, occupied by three or more people
• A house let as individual bed sitting rooms
• A group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants
• Hostels, some hotels, guesthouses
• Lodgings, and shared houses
• Some houses converted into self-contained flats

• A single household is a group of people who are members of the same family, either living together as a couple or close relatives.

Most students lets, professionals sharing, buildings containing bed-sits or non-self contained flats or indeed any other property with three or more unrelated tenants sharing facilities is likely to be an HMO.

A HMO will have to meet the Council's standards, these include:

• means of escape in case of fire and other fire precautions (See Homestamp)
• amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms toilets and wash hand basins
• overcrowding with regards to the number and size of rooms
• general suitability for occupation
• management standards
• gas safety
• furniture fire safety

Housing Standards and Improvement Service
3rd Floor Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP

Telephone 01922 658335 or 01922 653486
Fax 01922 652196
Email housingstandardsandimprovement@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 27 January 2012