The closing of a loophole in housing regulations should help prevent people being forced to live in cramped conditions.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture teamed up with the fire service, local authorities and tourism officials to close a loophole in the regulations that govern houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

These are where more than six unrelated people live and share amenities such as kitchens and bathrooms, typically former boarding houses converted for residential use.

The regulations set out minimum standards of accommodation and amenities. They require HMOs to be registered with the relevant local authority.

Prior to registration, they must be inspected by environmental health officers.

The first registrations are now taking place.

DEFA member Martyn Perkins said: ’The regulations should spell an end to people living in overcrowded and inadequate conditions in shared housing.

’Those sharing accommodation have the right to expect it is maintained to a certain standard and to have access to suitable amenities.

’Our measures will protect occupants of such premises, in line with our Programme for Government pledge to be responsible regulators and have housing that meets society’s needs.’

Meanwhile Tynwald will today (Tuesday) be asked to approve another update of housing regulations.

The February sitting of Tynwald approved an order to increase the maximum fine for non-compliance with housing regulations to £20,000.

However, it meant that the secondary legislation on accommodation standards in flats and HMOs needed updating to specify what the minimum standards expected were - and that has now been drawn up.