The Houses in Multiple Occupation (Living Accommodation Standard) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Interior Decoration

15.—(1) The decoration of the interior must be clean and sound at the commencement of tenancy, with appropriate paintwork to the walls of the bathrooms and kitchens.

(2) Walls, ceilings, floors and skirting boards must be in a sound condition.

(3) Bathrooms and kitchens require impervious flooring with laminate, vinyl or tiled floor coverings, the edges must be sealed to minimise water ingress.

(4) Floor coverings must be provided and be clean, level, sound, well secured and easy to clean, with no frayed areas, to minimise trip hazards paying particular attention to stairs and landings.

(5) The landlord of the HMO must ensure that all common parts of the HMO are:—

(a) maintained in good and clean decorative repair;

(b) maintained in a safe and good working condition; and

(c) kept reasonably clear from obstruction.

(6) The landlord must in particular ensure that:—

(a) all handrails and banisters are at all times kept in good repair;

(b) such additional handrails or banisters as are necessary for the safety of the occupiers of the HMO are provided;

(c) any stair coverings are safely fixed and kept in good repair;

(d) all windows and other means of ventilation within the common parts are kept in good repair;

(e) the common parts are fitted with adequate light fittings that are available for use at all times by every occupier of the HMO; and

(f) fixtures, fittings or appliances used in common within the HMO are maintained in good and safe repair and in clean working order.

(7) This Regulation does not apply in relation to fixtures, fittings or appliances that the occupier is entitled to remove from the HMO or which are otherwise outside the control of the landlord.

(8) The landlord must ensure that:—

(a) outbuildings, yards and forecourts which are used in common living within the HMO are maintained in repair, clean condition and good order;

(b) any garden belonging to the HMO is kept in a safe and tidy condition;

(c) boundary walls, fences and railings (including any basement area railings), in so far as they belong to the HMO, are kept and maintained in good and safe repair so as not to constitute a danger to others; and

(d) all external stairs shall be maintained in non-slip condition.

(9) If any part of the HMO is not in use the landlord shall ensure that such part, including any passage and staircase directly giving access to it, is kept reasonably clean and free from refuse and litter.

(10) In this regulation:—

“common parts” means:—

(i)

the entrance door to the HMO and the entrance doors leading to each unit of accommodation within the HMO;

(ii)

all such parts of the HMO as comprise staircases, passageways, corridors, halls, lobbies, entrances, balconies, porches and steps that are used by the occupiers of the units of accommodation within the HMO to gain access to the entrance doors of their respective unit of accommodation; and

(iii)

any other part of an HMO the use of which is shared by households living in the HMO, with the knowledge of the landlord.