In short, no. Licensing will usually be required when the HMO is deemed to be a Large HMO. A Large HMO is:

• A building at least 3 storeys high
• Housing at least 5 tenants, forming more than 1 household
• Facilities (bathroom, toilet, or kitchen) are shared with other occupants

Becuase the maximum number of occupants is four, the property at 16 Marshall Street is not deemed as a Large HMO and as such is classed as unlicenced by Leeds City Coouncil. 

The landlord is responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring that it meets safety and health standards. They are also responsible for providing essential services such as heating and hot water.

• Ensuring that the property meets the necessary safety standards and regulations, such as fire safety, gas safety, and electrical safety
• Providing and maintaining adequate common areas and facilities, such as bathrooms and kitchens
• Ensuring that the property is in a good state of repair and is properly maintained
• Managing any communal areas in a safe and appropriate manner
• Providing tenants with a written tenancy agreement and a copy of the current gas safety certificate
• Making sure that any furniture provided is fire-resistant
• Meeting the requirement of having an HMO licence if the property is big enough and meets certain criteria

As mentioned in the section above, as HMO landlords, we need to keep on top of health and safety issues in order to remain compliant with the local authority. 

Key things we are responsible for are

• Gas safety – where there is a gas supply,  we must undertake annual checks.
• Electrical safety – checks made every five years.
• Fire safety – smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted, maintained and checked.
• Rubbish disposal facilities provided.
• Adequate cooking, cleaning, and washing facilities provided and maintained
• Communal areas to be kept clear and clean.
• Managing overcrowding issues.

Our HMO Properties are all double bedroom size properties BUT are strictly single occupancy and this rule is very important as any violation could result in us being prosecuted by the local authority.

The importance of community in HMO (House in Multiple Occupancy) properties cannot be overstated. Not only do strong communities create a sense of belonging and security for residents, but they also lead to better maintenance of the property and a more pleasant living environment for all.

One of the key benefits of a strong community in an HMO property is that it promotes a sense of responsibility among residents. When residents feel a sense of ownership and pride in their living space, they are more likely to take care of the property and report any issues or repairs that need to be made. This leads to a well-maintained property that is safe and comfortable for all residents.

Another benefit of a strong community in an HMO property is that it creates a more pleasant living environment. When residents know and trust one another, they are more likely to be considerate of their neighbours and to work together to create a comfortable and welcoming space. This can lead to a reduction in conflicts and an overall increase in satisfaction among residents.

A strong community is vital for the success of HMO properties. It promotes responsibility among residents, leads to a more pleasant living environment, and helps to reduce turnover. Investing in community building activities like regular events, open communication and encouraging a sense of ownership among the tenants can go a long way in making the HMO property a homely place.

We will always act to benefit the HMO Community and if necessary, we will terminate the tenancy contract t of anyone who undermines the balance of the community.

Whillst vistors are weclome, there are very strict rules as to the number of occupants that can sleep at the property.  Leeds City Council rule that this hous is a Small HMO, which means it is regulated for four people or less.  This is very important as any breach of this ruling may lead to our prosecution. Understadibly, any tenant breaching this rule will be putting our livelihood at riskk and as such this is classed as a serious breach of the tenancy contract.

The property is professionally cleaned once a week and this service is provided by us.  The cleaner is responsible for the communal areas of the house, including the hall stairs and landing.  However, the provision of a cleaner does not abdicate the responsibilities of tenants to keep communal areas clean, especially the kitchen, sink, ovens and hobs.

Tenants are fully responsible for the cleanliness of their rooms and whilst we cannot police the general tidiness of individual rooms, we will not tolerate unclean bathrooms, showers and toilets, in particular, the tenant must clean any mould build up on tiles, tile grout and silicon sealant with bleach based disinfectant.

We have a strict no pets policy for a variety of reasons.  The main reason for our no pets policy is to ensure the safety and comfort of all residents. Some people have allergies to animals, and the presence of pets can trigger their symptoms. Furthermore, pets can be disruptive to other residents, causing noise and odors.

We also wish to protect the property from damage caused by animals. Pets can scratch or chew on doors, walls, and floors, causing costly repairs. Additionally, pets can cause stains on carpets and upholstery.

In summary, our rental properties have a no pets policy to protect the property, ensure the safety and comfort of all residents, and reduce the risk of liability for the landlord.

Communal WiFi refers to a wireless internet network that is shared among the residents of the property. This type of network is set up by us as a convenience and amenity. The advantage of communal WiFi is that it eliminates the need for each resident to set up and pay for their own individual internet service, and can provide a more reliable and faster connection than individual connections. However, with communal wifi, all the tenants share the same bandwidth and this can lead to slow internet speeds during peak usage times.  We provide communal internet for private leisure use and not for busines use as we cannot be responsible for the download speeds.  If  you work from home and  WIFI Speed is vital or important for your work, you should provide your own additional WIFI service.

Blocking drains can cause serious problems for both the landlord and tenants. It can lead to unpleasant odors, slow draining sinks and toilets, and even sewage backups. To prevent this, it is important not to flush inappropriate items down the toilet such as sanitary products, wipes, or grease, and to avoid disposing of large amounts of food waste in the sink. It’s also important to keep an eye on what goes down the shower and bath drains, as hair and soap scum can quickly build up and block the pipes. As landlords, we are responsible for maintaining the drains and pipes, so it is in our best interest to ensure they are not blocked.

Tenants must report any problems they encounter as soon as possible.

Keeping a kitchen clean in our HMO  property is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it helps to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, which can lead to illness and infection. A dirty kitchen can also attract pests such as cockroaches and mice, which can cause further health problems and damage to the property. Additionally, a clean kitchen can help to prolong the life of appliances and equipment, such as the oven and refrigerator, and can also improve the overall appearance of the property. This can be important in maintaining good tenant relations and keeping the property in good condition and it is the responsibility of the tenant community to keep the kitchen clean.

The external areas of the house must be kept free of any obstruction, such as bikes. Also, if tenants see any litter, we ask them too pick it up and dispose of it in an appropriate way, we want to keep the exterior of the property clean and tidy and we need the assistance of the house community to do this.

Energy use is important in a HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) property because it directly affects the operating costs of the property. High energy consumption can lead to higher utility bills and increased maintenance costs. Additionally, energy efficiency can have a positive impact on the environment and can help reduce the property’s carbon footprint. Properly managing energy use can also improve the comfort and livability of the property for tenants, which can help attract and retain renters.  Where Utility costs are included in the rent amount, tenants have a responibilty to make sure that the heating in their rooms is not left on when they are not in residence or is not left on when the windows or doors are open.

Introduction: This policy outlines the fair usage of utilities in our House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO). It is essential for all tenants to understand their responsibilities and obligations with regards to the use of utilities in the property. This policy is implemented to ensure that our tenants use the utilities both legally and within reasonable and sensible limits.

CCTV cameras are placed outside of the property as a security measure to deter crime and monitor the comings and goings of residents and visitors, we have two cameras placed one at the rear and one at the front.  CCTV cameras are used for monitoring the safety and maintenance of the property, such as ensuring that fire exits are not blocked and monitoring the condition of common areas.  If necessasry, our cameras can also be used to identify individuals involved in criminal activity or to gather evidence in the event of a crime. Overall,  we use CCTV cameras as a security tool to keep the residents and the property safe.

Tenants are typically responsible for putting their own waste and recycling bins out for collection on designated days. This may include ensuring that the bins are placed outside for collection or designated area by a certain time on the collection day, and bringing them back in after they have been emptied. Tenants should also ensure that their bins are not overflowing, as this can attract pests and create a health hazard. Additionally, tenants may be responsible for cleaning and maintaining their bins, such as washing them out regularly to prevent odors. It is important for tenants to familiarize themselves with the specific policies regarding waste and recycling collection days.

The fire alarm system is installed in the HMO to alert the occupants in the event of a fire. It is designed to detect smoke or heat and activate an alarm to alert the occupants of the building. It is an important safety feature that helps to ensure that everyone can safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire. It is the legal obligation of the landlord to make sure the fire alarm system is working properly and to carry out regular maintenance. It is also important for tenants to know how to respond to a fire alarm and to evacuate the building safely when the alarm sounds.  If the alarm sounds, please do not assume that it is a false alarm, it might not be! 

Please, under no circumstances hang any pictures or other items which require banging a nail or other item into the walls. There are pipes, electric cables and fire alarm cables running inn the wall voids and without knowing where they are, putting up pictures or other items could result in a serious damage to the property.

Tenants should not hang pictures or paintings on walls because it can cause damage to the walls and is against the terms of the lease agreement. Additionally, it may be difficult and costly to remove the items and restore the walls to their original condition when the tenant moves out. 

Allocated cupboards in a shared HMO kitchen are important because they provide each tenant with a designated space to store their food, dishes, and cooking equipment. This helps to prevent confusion and conflicts over shared resources, and ensures that each tenant has a sense of privacy and control over their own living space. Additionally, having allocated cupboards can make it easier to keep the shared kitchen clean and organized, as each tenant is responsible for keeping their own designated area tidy. Overall, allocated cupboards in a shared HMO kitchen can help to create a more harmonious and comfortable living environment for everyone.

Each bedrooms is fitted with its own Consumer Unit, which is independant of the main house Consumer Unit. This means that if there is an appliance fault leading to a tripped fuse, then it should only trip the circuit in your roomm and not the house circuit.  If the house circuit trips, it will be because of a fault on the commmuncal circuit.  For more information on how to reset a tripped fuse, please see our page on Electric Issues