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<p>Under House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) legislation, rooms in licensable HMOs
that are under 6.51 square metres cannot be used as sleeping accommodation by one
person. Local housing authorities have discretion to consider local circumstances
and require higher standards within HMO licence conditions, but must not set lower
standards.</p><p>The purpose of this legislation is to reduce overcrowding in HMOs.
The Government consulted extensively on the changes to HMO licensing at the time and
there was broad support for the extension of scope of mandatory HMO licensing.</p><p>The
Department does not hold information on the number of domestic abuse safe accommodation
providers, including refuges, that own their own property.</p><p>My Department is
working with local authorities to raise standards across the private rented sector,
to protect vulnerable tenants, including those living in HMOs.</p>
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