Private rented property standards guidance

All properties must have the following Kitchen amenities in good working order and well maintained.

• A fitted sink unit with drainer and hot and cold-water supply with taps. 
• In all cases sinks should be surrounded by surfaces capable of being readily cleaned and maintained and, where there is likelihood of water escaping beyond the confines of the appliance, the surfaces should be impermeable, and the perimeter sealed
• Fixed work surfaces for food preparation, these must be sealed between the wall and the work top with a suitable silicone sealant.
• Where reasonably practicable a minimum of 300mm of worktop must be provided either side of the cooker/hob.
• Adequate food storage cupboards and shelving must be provided. Under sink storage should not be used for food storage. food storage facilities should enable cooked and uncooked food to be kept separate to prevent cross contamination. These facilities should be of adequate size for the size of dwelling and should be finished internally and externally with smooth impervious surfaces capable of being readily cleansed and maintained in a hygienic condition.
• Suitable space and provision for a gas or electric cooker. 
• Suitable space for a fridge or fridge freezer. The electrical socket outlet for this must be accessible and within 1m of the appliance. 
• Sink/tap fittings must be secure and correctly plumbed and sealed.
• Drainage, waste traps and wastewater pipes must be fitted securely and free from blockages
• All external sections of the wastewater pipe work must be securely fitted and with no damage, missing or loose sections and properly discharge into the drainage system
• There should be sufficient sockets located around the kitchen to accommodate white goods. Minimum electrical socket provision can be found in the Electrical Sockets section. 
• Electric sockets for electrical appliances along the work surfaces must be fitted above the work top level. 
• Electrical sockets and cooker switches must not be fitted directly behind any heat source, such as a cooker or hob.
• If a socket-outlet is provided in the cooker control unit, this should not be included in the number recommended in the Table 2. 
• Appliances built into kitchen furniture (integrated appliances) should be connected to a socket-outlet or switch fused connection unit that is accessible when the appliance is in place and in normal use. Alternatively, when an appliance is supplied from a socket-outlet or a connection unit, these should be controlled by an accessible double pole switch or switched fused connection unit. It is recommended that wall mounted socket-outlets above a work surface are spaced at not more than one metre intervals along the surface.
• Fitted kitchen cupboards must be well maintained and in good working order 
• All kitchen base and wall unit doors and drawers must be securely fixed and in full working order and open and close as intended.
• All kitchen base and wall unit shelving and back boards must be in place and securely fixed. 
• All kitchen cupboards, base and wall units must be free from damp and mould.
• All work surfaces should be non-porous and reasonably smooth such that they can be cleaned effectively. With appropriate glued edging strips where necessary. 
• All work surfaces must be supported by suitable legged supports.
• Provision of mechanical ventilation in the majority of kitchens is a must. 

There may be a small number of circumstances where the levels of moisture are being adequately dealt with by the natural background ventilation within the dwelling. For example, a one-bedroom flat where the single occupier uses the facilities infrequently.

In these circumstances any changes in the use of the facilities or occupancy levels that will introduce an increase in moisture levels mechanical ventilation must be provided.

• Mechanical ventilation when provided when provided must be capable of dealing with the levels of moisture within the room. Minimum extraction levels are as follows
• 30 l/s (litres per second) for a cooker hood ducted to the outside 
• 60 l/s for a kitchen extractor fan (wall or ceiling mounted) 
• Recirculating cooker hoods (not ducted outside) do not count as extraction; additional extraction will be needed.
• Additional mechanical extraction will be insisted upon in kitchens where a lack of suitable ventilation results in condensation issues.
• Additional mechanical extraction when provided must be capable of dealing with the levels of moisture within the room. Direct to the external air, controlled via a room light cord switch and incorporating a minimum 15-minute over-run device, and a minimum discharge rate of 15 litres of air per second. The provision of mechanical extraction will be insisted upon in bathrooms where a lack of suitable ventilation results in condensation issues. A lower rate of ventilation can be accepted where a continuous ventilation system is used. PIV (positive input ventilation) or dMEV Continuous Running Extractor Fan with Humidistat.

Where council officers assess there is an issue with condensation and moisture levels, they may insist on the installation of mechanical extraction to deal with this using the methods described above.

• The dimensions and layout of the kitchen should be sufficient for the safe provision of all the necessary facilities and the safe circulation of the occupants
• The layout of the kitchen should avoid where reasonably practicable the positioning of a cooker or hob directly adjacent to a doorway.
• Kitchens are a high-risk area for fire and means of escape purposes therefore the location of a kitchen or cooking area within a dwelling should not compromise the fire escape route.
• A fire blanket should be provided. 

Where kitchen facilities fall short of these requirements due to unforeseen circumstances you are advised to contact the Private Sector Housing Team to discuss alternatives for the provision of a safe and functioning kitchen. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For example, where a long-term tenant has rearranged the kitchen layout themselves without the landlord's permission.