Response 3771956

Response to request for information

Reference

3771956

Response date

30 June 2025

Request

1. Is the Council committed to ensuring that all HMO landlords within its jurisdiction conform to the DASH Standards (Decent and Safe Home Standards)?

2. Can Rushcliffe Borough Council confirm whether its own HMO Amenity Standards are fully aligned with the DASH Standards, specifically with regard to amenities and space requirements as outlined in the Housing Act 2004 guidance?

3. Has the property in question ever been visited or inspected by the Council to confirm whether it currently meets both the DASH Standards and the Council’s own HMO Amenity Standards?

4. The proposal contains no information regarding individual room sizes. Based on limited information available via platforms such as Zoopla, it appears that some of the rooms may not meet the minimum size requirements stipulated under the DASH and HMO Amenity Standards. Can this be confirmed or clarified?

5. Is the landlord currently a member of the DASH Landlord Accreditation Scheme?

6. Could the Council please provide clarification on the following points in relation to the proposed 7-bed HMO at the above address?

7. Can the Council confirm whether this HMO is required to meet the bedsit or shared house standards as defined in Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Amenity Standards for HMOs?

8. Is the current kitchen size at least 10m²?

9. If the plans are approved for a 7-bed HMO, will the kitchen be enlarged to meet the additional 3m² requirement?

10. Will the dining area meet the minimum standard of 16.5m²?

11. Will the living area also meet the minimum 16.5m² requirement?

12. Does the kitchen include mechanical extraction for ventilation?

13. Are there adequate refuse disposal and recycling facilities provided?

14. Is there appropriate and compliant fire protection in place (e.g., smoke/heat detectors, fire doors, extinguishers, alarms)?

15. Are there 4 hot rings, a grill, and an oven provided for every 3 occupants, as required?

16. Are there at least 4 electrical sockets available for every 5 occupants, excluding sockets used for fixed appliances (e.g., refrigerator, washing machine)?

17. Are there at least two working toilets and bath/shower facilities available for the proposed number of occupants?

18. If these plans are approved, will a suitable communal dining area be provided in association with the shared kitchen facility?

Response

1. Is the Council committed to ensuring that all HMO landlords within its jurisdiction conform to the DASH Standards (Decent and Safe Home Standards)?

• Rushcliffe Borough Council currently does not fully conform to the amenity standards guidance published with the Decent and Safe Home Standards. Reference is made to the word ‘guidance’; thus, there is no legal requirement to conform with DASH standards. Rushcliffe Borough Council amenity standards are currently under review.

2. Can Rushcliffe Borough Council confirm whether its own HMO Amenity Standards are fully aligned with the DASH Standards, specifically with regard to amenities and space requirements as outlined in the Housing Act 2004 guidance?

• See 1. above

3. Has the property in question ever been visited or inspected by the Council to confirm whether it currently meets both the DASH Standards and the Council’s own HMO Amenity Standards?

• The subject property was inspection in November 2024. At the time of the visit, further amenities were needed to conform with Rushcliffe Borough Council’s amenity standards and licence conditions. As a result, work needed to comply was instructed, and works were carried out. 

4. The proposal contains no information regarding individual room sizes. Based on limited information available via platforms such as Zoopla, it appears that some of the rooms may not meet the minimum size requirements stipulated under the DASH and HMO Amenity Standards. Can this be confirmed or clarified?

• The room sizes were deemed to be compliant with Rushcliffe Borough Council’s amenity standards.

5. Is the landlord currently a member of the DASH Landlord Accreditation Scheme?

• At the time the licence application was submitted, the landlord was not a member of the DASH accreditation scheme.

6. Could the Council please provide clarification on the following points in relation to the proposed 7-bed HMO at the above address?

• The subject property is currently licenced for 6 occupants. In the event a licence variation is received, the application and proposed variations shall be reviewed in accordance with the relevant legislation and policies and requirements set by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

7. Can the Council confirm whether this HMO is required to meet the bedsit or shared house standards as defined in Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Amenity Standards for HMOs?

• The property is required to meet shared house standards as defined in Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Amenity Standards.

8. Is the current kitchen size at least 10m²?

• The kitchen was not measured at the time of inspection as the current kitchen was deemed suitable to facilitate all amenity required for 6-person occupancy. 1.2 of the  amenity standards references Guidance On Space Provision In Shared Houses - Reference is made to the word ‘guidance’. The size stated is for the purpose of ensuring that all HMOs may facilitate the necessary amenities to operate – Council discretion may be used should amenities still be achieved.

9. If the plans are approved for a 7-bed HMO, will the kitchen be enlarged to meet the additional 3m² requirement?

• In the event a licence variation is received to increase occupancy, the application and proposed variations shall be reviewed in accordance with the relevant legislation and policies and requirements set by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

10. Will the dining area meet the minimum standard of 16.5m²?

• Although a living/dining area is provided, there is no legislation that requires any such space to be provided. For this reason, the living/dining area was not measured.

11. Will the living area also meet the minimum 16.5m² requirement?

• Please refer to the response on question 10.

12. Does the kitchen include mechanical extraction for ventilation?

• Yes.

13. Are there adequate refuse disposal and recycling facilities provided?

• Yes.

14. Is there appropriate and compliant fire protection in place (e.g., smoke/heat detectors, fire doors, extinguishers, alarms)?

• Yes.

15. Are there 4 hot rings, a grill, and an oven provided for every 3 occupants, as required?

• Yes.

16. Are there at least 4 electrical sockets available for every 5 occupants, excluding sockets used for fixed appliances (e.g., refrigerator, washing machine)?

• Yes.

17. Are there at least two working toilets and bath/shower facilities available for the proposed number of occupants?

• Yes.

18. If these plans are approved, will a suitable communal dining area be provided in association with the shared kitchen facility?

• In the event a licence variation is received to increase occupancy, the application and proposed variations shall be reviewed in accordance with the relevant legislation and policies and requirements set by Rushcliffe Borough Council.