What are Amenity Standards?
Amenity standards outline the requirements that are needed for a HMO. These are the measurements and standard facilities needed in the property. If these standards are not present, then the Landlord must ensure the property complies.
The Amenity Standards impose instructions for:
- Kitchen Facilities.
- Washing Facilities.
- Toilet Facilities.
Kitchen Facilities - The Kitchen should be in a place where all users are able to access it easily. The users will have to have the kitchen separated from their sleeping space. The kitchen must be available for use 24 hours a day.
Kitchens should be 1.8m wide so that there is safe movement. Cookers should not be by doorways and there should be enough floor space for items to be safely retrieved from the oven. There should be a worktop on either side of the cooker and sink so that utensils are able to be placed.
Sandwell Council Amenity Standards for Kitchen Facilities
| Number of Persons | Kitchen Facilities |
|---|---|
| 1-5 People | 1 complete set of kitchen facilities- 1 stainless steel sink and integral drainer, one food storage cupboard per person, a standard size fridge and a standard size freezer (can be a single fridge/freezer), a worktop which is the minimum length of 1000mm and minimum width of 600mm, a minimum of (3) twin 13 amp socket outlets, and a gas or electric cooker with 4 ring burners. |
| 6-7 People | 2 complete sets of kitchen facilities with 1500mm x 600mm worktop. A combination microwave is accepted as a second cooker. A dishwasher will be accepted as a second sink. 2 separate fridge/freezers or a version of. |
| 8-10 People | 2 complete sets of kitchen facilities with 2000mm x 600mm worktop and 2 fridge/freezers or a version of. |
| 11-12 People | 2 separate kitchens containing 3 complete sets of kitchen facilities with 2500mm x 600mm worktop. A combination microwave will be acceptable as a third oven. 3 fridge/freezers or a version of. |
| 13-15 People | At least two separate kitchens containing three complete sets of kitchen facilities all as above with 2500mm x 600mm worktop. |
Baths/showers shall be provided in the ratio of at least 1:5 persons sharing and should be easily accessible to all who use them. Baths/showers should be made in a way that allows users to undress, dry themselves and dress in a safe manner. They should have a constant supply of hot and cold water with a reasonable temperature control. They should also have adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. In addition, all bath/shower rooms should have smooth, impervious wall and ceiling surfaces which can be easily cleaned. The flooring should also be slip-resistant and capable of being cleaned easily.
Washing Facilities - wash hand basins are either provided in a separate toilet compartment or bathroom containing a toilet which should also have a constant supply of hot and cold water.
Shower cubicles should have fully tiled walls provided with a suitable water-resistant curtain or a door to the cubicle.
Sandwell Council Amenity Standards for Washing Facilities:
| Item | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Wash Hand Basin | 500mm x 400mm although a smaller wash hand basin is accepted in separate toilet compartments. |
| Bath | 1700mm x 700mm |
| Splash Back | 300mm high |
| Shower | 800mm x 800mm |
| Shower Room | 1600mm x 900mm |
| Bathroom (bath only) | 1400mm x 1700mm |
| Bathroom (bath/whb/WC) | 1800mm x 1600mm |
Toilet Facilities - the toilet room should have smooth, impervious wall and ceiling surfaces which can be easily cleaned.
The flooring should also be slip resistant and easily cleaned. The toilet will be made easily accessible to all users.
The toilet room will have adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Should be a minimum dimension of 1300mm x 900mm with 750mm from the front of the toilet pan to the door.
Where works to provide additional facilities are being carried out, Building Regulations may apply.
Sandwell Council Amenity Standards for Toilet Facilities:
| Number of People | Facilities Required |
|---|---|
| 1-4 People | At least 1 bathroom and 1 toilet. The minimum provision is 1 bathroom containing toilet, bath/shower and wash hand basin. |
| 5 People | 1 bathroom and 1 separate toilet with wash hand basin. The minimum requirement is 1 bathroom containing toilet, bath/shower and wash hand basin and 1 separate toilet but 2 bathrooms with toilet, bath/shower and wash hand basin is acceptable. |
| 6-10 People | 2 bathrooms and 2 separate toilets with wash hand basins. The minimum requirement is 2 bathrooms containing bath/shower and wash hand basin with 1 of those bathrooms containing a toilet and 1 separate toilet with a wash hand basin. |
| 11-15 People | 3 bathrooms and 3 separate toilets with wash hand basins. The minimum requirement is 3 bathrooms which contains a bath/shower and wash hand basin with 2 of those bathrooms also containing a toilet and 1 separate toilet with a wash hand basin. |