Why shared houses are different
HMOs often have more bathrooms, larger hot water cylinders and sometimes cold water tanks in the loft. Rooms and en-suites can sit empty between tenancies, and student houses are often empty for most of the summer. All of this means more places for water to stagnate.
What a good HMO assessment looks at
- Stored hot water temperature and whether the cylinder reaches 60°C
- Any cold water tank, its lid, insulation and condition
- Showers and en-suites that may go unused
- Dead legs left from earlier conversions
- Who lives there and how the house is occupied through the year
Summer voids and new tenancies
Before a new group moves in, flush every outlet, starting nearest the hot water source, descale shower heads and check temperatures. Long summer voids may need weekly flushing or a recommissioning visit. See our recommissioning guide.
Licensing and records
Councils increasingly ask HMO landlords to show they have assessed legionella risk. Keep the written assessment, a record of void flushing and the tenant information you have given out. Our landlord risk assessment includes a tenant information sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Do HMOs need legionella testing?
Not usually. As with other domestic lets, temperature control and keeping water moving are the main controls. Sampling may be recommended in unusual cases, such as large stored systems that cannot reach temperature.
Who is responsible in a managed HMO?
The landlord remains the duty holder. A letting or managing agent can carry out tasks on the landlord's behalf if this is agreed and they are competent.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information about UK requirements and is not legal advice. Always check the current legislation and guidance for your premises.