§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if students lodging in private houses are protected by regulations governing homes in multiple occupation.
§ Mr. BoswellThe type of private rented accommodation in which most students are likely to live may be classified as a house in multiple occupation—HMO. An HMO is identified in the Housing Act 1985 as a house which is occupied by persons who do not form a single household and this may cover a range of shared accommodation, bedsits and hostels. Local authorities have wide ranging powers under the Housing Act 1985 to control the standards in HMOs.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will consult vice-chancellors on a code to protect students in lodgings from fire and from faulty gas appliances.
§ Mr. BoswellWhere students live in accommodation which can be classified as a house in multiple occupation, which is a house occupied by persons who do not form a single household, local authorities have wide-ranging powers to control standards under the Housing Act 1985.
In addition the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984 put a duty on those who install and service 264W gas appliances. The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1984 places a duty on a person who runs a business to ensure that any persons not in his employment are not exposed to risk to their health or safety.