New rules were introduced in 2010 to protect tenants living in houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs). These rules required landlords of such properties to apply for a special license from their local authority, to be issued after an inspection established the property was of a decent standard.
However, with the scheme rolled out further in January of this year now to include landlords of properties with three or more tenants sharing, it would appear that many landlords are still failing to bring their properties up to the required standards. Figures released by Oxford City Council indicate that just 3% of HMOs met the required standards which means a staggering 97% were not of a satisfactory standard.
When I was a student many moons ago, it was almost considered the norm to be living in absolute squalor, sinks piled sky high with week old dirty pots and hundreds of empty beer bottles strewn everywhere, but times have changed and modern students are far more likely to complain about damp, decrepit mattresses and unsafe appliances — as well they should!
Frankly I believe that it is completely unacceptable to expect tenants (often students) living in HMOs to put up with squalid conditions and any reputable landlord worth their salt should spend time and money sorting things out and ensuring their properties meet health and safety requirements. In Oxford alone, there have already been eight prosecutions made against landlords of dangerously unsafe HMOs, so before you find yourself in their shoes, take heed of any warning letters and recommendations you have received and put things right.
