Amenity standards for temporary and emergency accommodation
Consultation on Proposed Accommodation Space & Amenity Standards for HMOs Used as Temporary and Emergency Accommodation
Cornwall Council is seeking your views on newly proposed Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) used to provide temporary and emergency accommodation for homeless households.
Why are we proposing these standards?
The amenity standards will support the Council in meeting its regulatory responsibilities for this type of HMO; ensuring that accommodation offered, often at short notice and in challenging circumstances, meets a consistent, safe, appropriate level of accommodation space and amenities, while maintaining access to suitable accommodation for homeless households.
Currently, Cornwall Council applies HMO amenity standards designed for permanent occupancy in the private rented sector. These include minimum provisions for bathrooms, toilets, kitchen facilities, space standards, and guidance on the maximum number of occupiers and households permitted in licensed HMOs.
However, applying these permanent occupancy standards to interim accommodation can reduce the availability of housing for homeless households, as the requirements are often too restrictive and do not reflect the short-term nature of these placements.
The proposed amenity standards aim to achieve a balance of:
- Protecting the welfare of occupants
- Ensuring that HMO accommodation remains a viable option for addressing homelessness
- Avoiding licensing requirements that unintentionally limit the supply of suitable accommodation for those in urgent need
What do the proposed standards cover?
The draft standards set clear expectations for:
- Room sizes
- Kitchen and bathroom facilities
- Shared amenity provision
They will guide both internal accommodation placement decisions and external providers offering accommodation to the Council.
The proposals are underpinned by statutory duties and powers, including:
- Housing Act 2004 (Parts 1 & 2) – covering the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and mandatory HMO licensing.
- Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) Orders 2003 & 2012 – requiring local authorities to ensure accommodation is suitable in terms of physical condition, safety, and location.
- Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011) – setting out homelessness duties.
By introducing these standards, Cornwall Council aims to provide a transparent framework for assessing the suitability of accommodation and to meet its legal obligations.
Why Your Views Matter
These changes could affect service users, and accommodation providers. We want to ensure the standards are practical, inclusive, and fit for purpose.
Have Your Say
To submit your views, please complete the survey below by 02 January 2026.
Your feedback will help us confirm whether these standards are practical, inclusive, and fit for purpose. The results of this consultation will be reviewed by the Council’s and used to shape the final standards. A summary of responses will be published here.
If the standards are adopted, they would be implemented on 01 April 2026.
