Public health advice

Poor housing can affect people's health, it may be a danger to the public, and it may also have a negative effect on the local environment.

All housing must meet the tolerable standards for housing.  Housing standards cover:

• Private Owners - Tolerable standards
• HMO - Housing of multiple occupation (where three or more people who are not related share a flat)

The law sets out the Tolerable Standard which a home must meet to be fit for people to live in.  A house meets the tolerable standard if it:

• is structurally stable
• is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp
• has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings

It also meets the tolerable standard if it has satisfactory:

• lighting
• safe electrical wiring and components (not appliances)
• satisfactory thermal insulation eg loft insulation
• means of heating eg a socket where a heater can be plugged in
• ventilation ie natural or mechanical
• wholesome drinking water supply ie public or private
• cooking facilities ie somewhere to put a cooker
• drainage for rainwater and from kitchen and bathroom fittings (surface and foul drainage)
• standard amenities (a toilet or waterless closet)
• standard amenities (a fixed bath or shower)      
• standard amenities (a wash-hand basin)
• standard amenities (a sink)
• all with a piped supply of hot and cold water

Legislation requires houses in multiple occupation (HMO) to be licensed by us. A house is defined as an HMO if it's the only or principal residence of three or more persons from three or more families.

If you are an owner or a property, or if the property is leased to or managed by another party or organisation, you should apply for a licence if you give permission for your property to be occupied as an HMO i.e. if you allow people to live in it. The need for a licence does not depend on rent being paid, or on any formal tenancy arrangements being in place.

Guidance on Fire Safety is published on www.infoscotland.com/firelaw (external website).

Advice is also available on the Fife Fire & Rescue Service website www.fifefire.gov.uk (external site) – from the home page click on the link to ‘Services’ followed by ‘Fire Safety Legislation’.

Other useful sites are:
www.betterrentingscotland.com
www.scotland.gov.uk

If you are not sure whether you need an HMO licence for your property, you should contact us on the details provided.