A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property let to three or more people from more than one household who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. HMOs fall under the same Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 as any other private let, so they need an EICR at least every five years. Many also need a licence, which comes with its own conditions.
HMO licensing and electrical safety
Mandatory licensing applies to HMOs with five or more people from two or more households. Many councils, including Nottingham City Council, also run additional licensing for smaller HMOs. Licence conditions normally require you to keep a current, satisfactory EICR and give it to the council when asked. If you are applying for or renewing a licence, booking the EICR first means the report is ready to submit.
Why HMOs are priced differently
An HMO usually has more circuits than a family house of the same size: extra sockets in each bedroom, separate kitchen circuits, sometimes a second consumer unit, and locks or heaters on individual rooms. It also sees heavier use, so inspection takes longer. Our HMO price starts from £249 inc. VAT, priced per room and circuit. Tell us the number of lettable rooms and send a photo of the board, and we will confirm a fixed price before you book.
What we often find in HMOs
- damaged or overloaded sockets in bedrooms, and chains of extension leads
- kitchen circuits carrying more appliances than they were designed for
- DIY additions such as extra sockets, outdoor lights or electric heaters, added without certification
- older consumer units without RCD protection on every circuit
- missing or damaged fire-rated covers and accessories in shared areas
Any C1 (danger present) is made safe before we leave. Everything else gets a fixed-price remedial quote with the report, so you can get it done within the 28-day deadline.
Fire alarms and emergency lighting
Fire detection and emergency lighting in HMOs are tested and certified under their own standards, separately from the EICR. The EICR covers the circuits that supply them, but not the full functional testing of the alarm system. Check what your licence asks for, and tell us when you book if you need anything beyond the EICR.
Student HMOs in Nottingham, Beeston and Derby
We test a lot of student lets around the universities in Nottingham (Lenton, Radford, Dunkirk), Beeston and Derby. The easiest time is often over the summer between tenancies. Tell us your changeover dates and we will plan around them. During term, we arrange access with the tenants directly.