Section 234 — Housing Act 2004: Management regulations in respect of HMOs

Management regulations in respect of HMOs 234 1 The appropriate national authority may by regulations make provision for the purpose of ensuring that, in respect of every house in multiple occupation of a description specified in the regulations—

a there are in place satisfactory management arrangements;

and b satisfactory standards of management are observed.

2 The regulations may, in particular—

a impose duties on the person managing a house in respect of the repair, maintenance, cleanliness and good order of the house and facilities and equipment in it;

b impose duties on persons occupying a house for the purpose of ensuring that the person managing the house can effectively carry out any duty imposed on him by the regulations.

3 A person commits an offence if he fails to comply with a regulation under this section.

4 In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (3) it is a defence that he had a reasonable excuse for not complying with the regulation.

5 A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

6 See also section 249A (financial penalties as alternative to prosecution for certain housing offences in England).

7 If a local housing authority has imposed a financial penalty on a person under section 249A in respect of conduct amounting to an offence under this section the person may not be convicted of an offence under this section in respect of the conduct.