All private lets: the Repairing Standard
Scotland's Repairing Standard, set out in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, requires the installations for water and sanitation to be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order. In practice, that means the toilet, basin, bath or shower, and their water supply and drainage, all need to work properly.
Is your property an HMO?
In Fife, a property is an HMO if three or more unrelated people live there and share a toilet, washing facilities or a kitchen. HMOs need a licence from Fife Council, and running one without a licence is a criminal offence. HMOs are common in St Andrews, where students make up a large part of the population.
Fife's HMO bathroom standards
Fife Council's HMO physical standards guide sets out these requirements for bathrooms and toilets:
| Requirement | What Fife's standards say |
|---|---|
| Toilets | 1 per up to 5 occupants, 2 for 6 to 10, 3 for 11 to 15 |
| Baths or showers | 1 per up to 5 occupants, 2 for 6 to 10, 3 for 11 to 15 |
| Who counts | Everyone living there, including any resident owner or staff |
| Wash hand basin | In each toilet compartment, or in the space that's its only access |
| Distance | No communal toilet, bath or shower more than one floor from the bedrooms it serves |
| Hot and cold water | An adequate piped supply to every basin, bath and shower |
| Extraction | Mechanical ventilation of at least 15 litres per second in bathrooms and shower rooms |
| Windows | Obscure glazing in toilet, bath and shower rooms |
| Lighting | At least one fixed light in each toilet, bathroom and shower room |
| Locks | A suitable lock on bathroom and toilet doors |
| Flooring | Good-quality cushioned flooring, such as vinyl, in bathroom areas |
Landlords must also assess and control the risk of legionella, and bathroom electrics must be installed by a competent electrician to the wiring regulations. Always check the current version of the standards with Fife Council before planning a refit.
Planning a bathroom refit in a rental
A bathroom in a busy shared house works hard. A few choices make life easier for you and your tenants:
- Plan the numbers first. If you're adding tenants, check whether you need another toilet or shower before redesigning the room.
- Choose low-maintenance walls. Wall panels have little or no grout to clean or repair, which helps between tenancies.
- Get extraction right. Bathrooms in shared homes produce a lot of steam. Fife's HMO standard sets a minimum extraction rate, and good extraction also helps prevent mould.
- Pick hard-wearing fittings. Simple, sturdy fittings are easier to maintain and replace.
- Think about access. In a shower room, a walk-in shower is quick to clean and suits most people.
Frequently asked questions
How many bathrooms does an HMO need in Fife?
Fife's standards require 1 toilet and 1 bath or shower per up to 5 occupants, 2 of each for 6 to 10, and 3 for 11 to 15.
Does every private let need to meet a bathroom standard?
Yes. Under the Repairing Standard, water and sanitation installations must be in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order.
What extractor fan does an HMO bathroom need?
Fife's HMO standards ask for mechanical ventilation of at least 15 litres per second in bathrooms and shower rooms.
Do you fit bathrooms for landlords?
Yes. We fit bathrooms in rented homes and HMOs across Fife, including St Andrews. Tell us how many people share the bathroom and what your licence requires.
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