Houses in Multiple Occupation amenity guidance

5.1 Where a unit of accommodation contains kitchen facilities for the exclusive use of the individual household, and there are no other kitchen facilities available for that household, that unit shall be provided with:

5.2 Cooker

5.2.1 The minimum requirement is for two rings/hot plates together with a minimum 28 litre oven and grill.

5.2.2 Where bedsits are occupied by 2 persons the requirement is for 3 rings/hot plates, together with a minimum 28 litre oven and grill.

5.3 Sink with draining board

5.3.1 Each bedsit shall be provided with a suitably sized sink and drainer

5.3.2 Each sink shall be equipped with taps providing an adequate supply of cold and constant hot water.

5.4 Worktops (for the preparation of food)

5.4.1 Fixed worktops shall be provided at a minimum of 600mm depth and a minimum total length of 1000mm per user.

5.5 Electrical sockets

5.5.1 In addition to any sockets provided for appliances required by these standards, 2 double socket outlets shall be provided above worktop height for the use of occupants.

5.6 A cupboard (for the storage of food and cooking utensils)

5.6.1 Each bedsit shall be provided with an adequately sized cupboard for the storage of food and kitchen utensils. (Minimum requirement of one 500mm wide base unit or one 800mm wide wall unit per household). The space located below the sink ventilated or otherwise should not be treated as a food cupboard for the purpose of this standard.

5.7 Refrigerators and freezers

5.7.1 A refrigerator of sufficient capacity to provide approximately 100 litres of storage space for every user

5.7.2 A freezer of sufficient capacity to provide approximately 15 litres of storage for every user.

5.8 Hot water

5.8.1 Each sink supplied shall be equipped with taps providing an adequate supply of cold and constant hot water. Hot water may be provided by any of the following methods:

• Piped from boiler and storage
• Immersion heater
• Fixed gas appliance such as multipoint
• 3KW heater with a 7 litre storage reservoir

5.9 Kitchen surfaces and splash backs

5.9.1 All sinks and worktops in a kitchen shall be provided with an appropriate splash back.

5.9.2 All wall surfaces shall be smooth and capable of being readily cleansed. Surfaces immediate adjacent to cookers shall be of a hardwearing, solid impervious finish and any joints between the sink, drainer or worktop and the adjacent wall shall be sealed and watertight.

5.9.3 Splash backs shall be waterproof and easily cleanable and meet the following requirements:

• 5.9.4 The splash back to the sink shall be to all adjacent walls and be a minimum of 300mm high and extend to at least equal to the length and width of the sink and all joints shall be adequately sealed.
• 5.9.5 The splash back to the worktop shall be to all adjacent walls and be a minimum of 300mm high and extend to at least equal length and width of the worktop and all joints shall be adequately sealed.