Why is Multiple Occupation Renting Different?
Houses in Multiple Occupation or HMO renting exists where several tenants rent a sole property. It is, in other words, something of a shared living arrangement. This helps property owners to fill properties with the help of their property management companies and assist tenants in paying the bills. An example of a company that will manage properties is Abode Ltd Manchester.
When spouses are not working and there is just a single wage earner it can be difficult to meet the cost of all the bills. It is also hard for single people without families to afford a property single-handedly. The solution here is multiple occupations and the shared housing arrangement. Many new friendships or relationships have been formed because of such an arrangement, as well as it helping with finances.
Who Signs the Tenancy Agreement with Multiple Occupation Renting?
Where there are several tenants within the same property on Multiple Occupation renting arrangements, then all the tenants must sign the agreement along with the property owner. These then should be the tenants that stay within the property unless permission is sought to change that arrangement.
Rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation
The rules on HMOs are that proper first safety measures should be in place, which should include smoke alarms that are working. It is a requirement that annual safety checks be conducted in respect of gas appliances. In terms of the electrics, checks should be done every 5 years to maintain tenant safety.
Property management companies will be mindful that there are enough facilities related to cooking and sleeping concerning the numbers living at the shared property. Then there is the issue of overcrowding which must be addressed if this looks to be a problem.
Overcrowding
Where multiple occupation renting is taking place, overcrowding will need to be considered very seriously. It will be the responsibility of property management companies to ensure that safety is maintained within the property they are managing. Safety levels need to be maintained for comfortable living as well as for health.
Finances
All the tenants who have signed the tenancy agreement will be jointly responsible for the rent and finding it on time. Financial arrangements made within can help each other out if the property management company can collect the rent when it is due and pass this on to the property’s owner.
Property owners can be involved in HMO arrangements as a business venture or be investors thinking about their retirement fund. Those investing in their future can earn income off their second property or property portfolio. In exchange for the income, there will be repairs to make to the property to keep tenants happy and safe, but these will be able to be used to reduce the taxes payable on the income made. Property management companies will collect the money, it is for property owners to sort out their tax returns.
There are differences between Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) renting and other kinds of renting because of the numbers being catered for within the particular property. There are regulations to follow and checks that need to be actioned to make the arrangement allowed. Overcrowding has the potential to be an issue so must be given significant attention by the landlord, or property management company on their behalf. Every one of the tenants will be responsible for the rent, which can be a financial hassle to collect if tight procedures are not in place. The company managing the arrangement will take care of this for the property owner.
HMO renting is all about following stricter rules and about thinking of the needs of different tenants all within the same property. The needs may well be individual but there should be one arrangement that suits all in terms of the expectations and the financial arrangements.
