Amenity Standards for Privately Rented dwellings

Where individual bedsit rooms are large enough to accommodate a kitchenette or multi-room bedsits where one of the rooms is of adequate size to accommodate a separate kitchen for the exclusive use of the occupant(s) of that bedsit.

• Sinks

  • Minimum Standard - defined as a fixed impervious sink with a drainer. It should be provided with an adequate and wholesome supply cold water and an adequate supply of constant hot water
    • one per each unit

• Cookers

  • Minimum Standard - a cooker with at least two rings with an oven and grill
    • one per each unit

• Electrical sockets Points

  • Minimum Standard - should be set at a convenient height and safe position
    • 4 sockets (2 doubles) and additional dedicated sockets are required for a cooker and refrigerator

• A work top for the preparation of food

  • Minimum Standard - the worktop should be secure, fixed and of impervious material
    • minimum size 600mm x 1000mm

• A cupboard for the storage of kitchen utensils and crockery

  • Minimum Standard - floor or wall mounted - the space below the sink is not acceptable to comply with this standard
    • a floor-based storage cupboard of 500mm wide and standard depth and height or a wall mounted food storage cupboard of 1000mm wide and standard depth and height

• A refrigerator

  • Minimum Standard - a standard refrigerator
    • a refrigerator with minimum capacity of 0.15m³

All kitchenettes should be provided with a fire blanket and a 2kg CO2 or Dry Powder fire extinguisher.

See the Borough Council's publication Fire Precautions in Residential Dwellings for guidance on fire safety requirements in HMOs.