The new Housing Act regulations on licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) for England and Wales came into force on April 6th, writes David Lawrenson.

This sets out new management standards for all HMOs, even those that won't need a licence under the new rules.

For details on the new management standards affecting all HMOs please see my previous article.

The new Act must have made the UK's plumbers lick their lips because the Act's regulations on amenity standards for larger HMOs are tough and will mean landlords will have to install new washbasins.

Or will they?

Let's have a look at what the rules say.
The basic standards in the rules are as follows, though local authorities may set higher standards:

For kitchen facilities, there must be enough sinks with draining boards as well as equipment for cooking food, electrical sockets, cupboards, freezer space and refrigerators as well as extractor fans, fire blankets and fire doors.