Paid subscribers get our full 14-Point HMO Inspection Checklist PDF, so you can take the same checks with you on your next viewing.
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First Impressions vs. Reality
Walking into this HMO for the first time, it looked like a fairly standard job.
An overgrown garden, a fence on its way out, nothing that screamed “problem.”
A few hours in, and I realised my first impression was wrong.
Damp was running through multiple rooms, woodworm was present, and the signs pointed to a property that had sat unoccupied and unmaintained for some time.
No Boiler, No Clear Heating
We couldn’t locate a boiler anywhere in the property.
Staining around the radiators suggests they haven’t been used in a long time, and it looks like the place may be running on water tanks and electric heaters instead.
That’s a significant question mark for any agent or rent-to-renter to resolve before taking on management.
Fire Doors: The Biggest Red Flag
Several fire doors don’t sit flush in their casings, slam far too hard, or have gaps underneath big enough to defeat the point of having a fire door at all.
One door in particular barely closes. Standards vary by council. Some are strict about intumescent strips and casings, others less so, but a door that doesn’t seal isn’t going to slow a fire down regardless of local interpretation.
Flooring: A Pattern of Cut Corners
New carpet in one room looked promising at first glance, but the same issue shows up throughout the house:
No underlay, staple marks instead of proper gripper rods, edges that pull straight up. In some rooms, floorboards have enough bounce underfoot that a foot could go through.
It’s the kind of detail that’s invisible in photos but obvious the moment you walk the property.
The Attic Conversion: Impressive, But Unverified
Upstairs, a loft conversion had been added. A genuinely nice space with potential, but seemingly done without planning permission or building regs sign-off.
It has the same flooring and fire door issues as the rest of the house. One adjoining room had a lock fitted, suggesting it was being used as a bedroom, despite being far too small to fit a bed safely.
The Small Stuff That Still Matters
Not everything here is serious.
Some rooms just need paint, a sturdier curtain pole, and heavier curtains that actually block light and draughts. But mixed in with the cosmetic fixes are functional failures too.
Light switches that don’t work, a toilet that doesn’t flush properly, and a shower area that behaves more like a wet room due to poor sealing.
Why This Matters for Agents and Rent-to-Renters
None of this is about criticising for the sake of it.
HMO tenants, including some of the most vulnerable renters in the market, deserve properties that are genuinely safe and compliant, not just presentable in photos.
Before taking on management or a rent-to-rent agreement, this level of inspection is essential.
If the owner isn’t willing to fund the work needed to bring a property up to standard, you’re the one left exposed to the compliance risk.
Related Reading
Want the Full Inspection Checklist?
We’ve turned everything we look for on these walkthroughs into a single, practical checklist.
The exact points we check before taking on management or a rent-to-rent deal, from fire doors and flooring to heating and room compliance.
It’s designed to be printed or kept on your phone for every viewing.
The full checklist is available to download below for paid subscribers.
