HMO minimum space standards may be changed by council

A council has launched a six week consultation on proposals to change size requirements for HMOs in its area.

The proposals, put forward by North Devon Council, amend the current amenity standards, minimum room sizing, and Management Standards Document for HMOs in the district.

The council’s Head of Planning, Housing and Health, Jeremy Mann, says: “Licensing has helped improve the quality and safety of homes for people living in the private rented sector. 

“The new standards will ensure we continue to make homes in North Devon safe, warm and secure for tenants and help the council continue to tackle rogue landlords who own or rent an HMO without meeting these minimum regulations.”

A number of changes have been proposed, most noticeably under the following three main sections:

– personal washing facilities and WCs;

– facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food (shared facilities); and

– mandatory space standards in HMOs.

To view the amendments made and to have your say on the consultation, visit www.northdevon.gov.uk/hmo-consultation by Wednesday July 20.