Safety checklist for shared houses

If you live in a HMO, (shared house, flat, or bedsit) or are planning to do so, you should make sure that it has the following:

• A valid electrical certificate issued within the last 5 years from date of required registration, confirming compliance with the applicable edition of the I.E.E. Regulations. Where the property is less than 5 years old a letter or statement issued by Building Control confirming date of completion will be accepted instead*;

• Where the property has a gas installation, a certificate issued within the last year by a Gas Safe (this register has replaced CORGI) registered installer, covering installation and appliances.

• That the following installations have been serviced and maintained in full working order:

  • The fire detection and alarm system

  • The emergency lighting system, where present

  • All fire extinguishers and fire blankets

* The requirement for the Landlord to produce an electrical certificate or Building Control Certificate is a requirement for Registered HMO’s

Ask for the registration certificate

If the house has been registered with us then the landlord will be able to show you a HMO registration certificate.  This means that he has met all the safety measures listed above, so you won’t need to check the individual certificates yourself.

The registration certificate will also specify the maximum number of people allowed to share the house. Students can find more help and advice on the nistudentpad website