The tables below outline guidance on space provision for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Regardless of the type of accomodation, the unavoidable sharing of rooms by persons of the opposite sex over the age of ten and who do not live as partners shall not be permitted.

Shared Houses

One person room
  • Each bedroom/study bedroom - 10 sqm
  • Where there is a shared living room - 6.51 sqm
Two person room
  • Each bedroom/study bedroom - 15 sqm
  • Where there is a shared living room - 12 sqm
Common Rooms
Kitchens 
  • Used by 1-5 persons - 7 sqm
  • For more than 5 persons - an additional 3 sqm per person using kitchen
Dining kitchens
  • Used by 1-5 persons - 11.5 sqm
  • Used by 6-10 persons - 16.5 sqm - dependent on kitchen facilities provided (contact Housing Standards Team to discuss)
Living rooms and dining rooms
  • Used by 1-5 persons  - 11.5 sqm
  • Used by 6-10 people - 16.5 sqm

Bed & Breakfast accommodation, hostels & guest houses

Premises providing meals or where cooking facilities are provided in a different room

Bedrooms

  • One person
  • Two persons
  • Three persons
  • Four persons 

Space provision

  • 8.5 sqm
  • 11 sqm
  • 17 sqm
  • 22 sqm
Where cooking facilities are provided in the same room
  • One person
  • Two persons
  • Three persons
  • Four persons 
  • 14 sqm
  • 18 sqm
  • 23 sqm
  • 28 sqm
Lounge A minimum provision of 3 sqm per person will be required, which will include one area of at least 15 sqm
Dining A minimum provision of 2 sqm per person will be required
Combined lounge/dining areas A provision of 3.5 sqm per person may be adequate if the floor area of lounge and dining rooms are combined
Kitchens used for the
preparation of communal foods		 To be in accordance with the requirements of the current Food Hygiene Regulations

Bedsits

One person units of accommodation
One room units
  • 13 sqm with kitchen facilities
  • 10 sqm with separate shared kitchen or meals provided
Shared kitchens shall provide 3 sqm per person using kitchen, but in no case being less than 5.5 sqm

Two or more room units 

6.51 sqm each bedroom so long as the total floor area of the letting exceeds 15.0 sqm
  • Each kitchen
  • Each living/kitchen
  • Each living room
  • Each living/bedroom
  • 5.5 sqm
  • 11 sqm
  • 9 sqm
  • 10 sqm
Two or more person units of accommodation - Living together as a single household
No habitable room shall be occupied by more than two persons, irrespective of age
One room units 18.5 sqm with kitchen facilities
16 sqm with separate exclusive kitchen on same floor
Two or more room units

6.51 sqm for each single bedroom
10.22 sqm for each double bedroom

(only if total floor area of the letting exceeds 18.5 sqm or 16 sqm according to kitchen facilities.)
  • Each kitchen 
  • Each living/kitchen 
  • Each living room 
  • Each living/bedroom 
  • Each single person bedroom 
  • Each double bedroom 
  • 7 sqm
  • 15 sqm
  • 10 sqm
  • 14 sqm
  • 6.51 sqm
  • 10.22 sqm

Last updated: Tue 8th August, 2023 @ 16:30