South Holland District Council are undertaking an exercise to try to establish the number and whereabouts of all "Houses in Multiple Occupation" in the South Holland area.
"House in Multiple Occupation", (HMO) means a building, or part of a building, such as a flat, that:
- is occupied by more than one household and where more than one household shares - or lacks - an amenity, such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities
- is occupied by more than one household and which is a converted building - but not entirely self-contained flats (whether or not some amenities are shared or lacking)
- is converted self-contained flats, but does not meet as a minimum standard the requirements of the 1991 Building Regulation and at least one third of the flats are occupied under short tenancies.
More than one household would occur when either two, or more, of the occupants are not related to each other, either by family relationship or by partnership.
Signs of multiple occupancy can be large amounts of refuse being left out, unkempt or scruffy gardens, numbers of rubbish bins, curtains being drawn during the day, multiple doorbells, multiple letterboxes, multiple satellite dishes, large numbers of vehicles, and excessive coming and going by different individuals.
There is evidence that living conditions can be poor in such properties with consequent effect on the health and safety of the residents, and in order to improve conditions, it is essential that the Council are aware of all such properties.
If you know, or suspect that a property is being used in this way, then the Council would like to hear from you on 01775 761161, and ask for the Community Housing Team.
