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Landlords: Are you Aware of the Housing Health & Safety Rating System?

Published on March 1, 2015 by Sarah Mac

The Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) applies to residential properties in England and Wales. Despite the fact it has been in place since 2006, awareness is low with 85% of landlords not having heard of it, according to a government survey. But it’s a very important piece of legislation which, as a landlord, you really need to be adhering to.

Residential landlords have statutory obligations to make sure their properties meet certain standards. These standards apply to the inside of the rented property as well as communal areas and surrounding outside spaces. So what are these standards exactly?

Property Condition – Interior: The property must be ‘fit for human habitation’ – this means no damp, condensation or mould growth, adequate ventilation, proper lighting and decent facilities for the preparation of food. Any vermin infestations must be dealt with and if there is evidence of falling plaster, dangerous staircases or broken glass then there is a duty to have these rectified.

Property Condition – Exterior: The property must be kept in good repair in as far as the exterior and general structure are concerned.

Utilities: Electricity, gas and water supply apparatus must be kept in good order and repairs carried out where necessary. Sinks, water closets, baths and shower should all be fully functional and safe to use. Any blocked drains must be attended to, as must any issues with sewage or rubbish.

Installations: Central heating and hot water systems must be regularly serviced and well maintained so that there is a reliable and safe supply of heating and hot water. All gas and electrical installations must be periodically checked by a suitably qualified, accredited professional to ensure their safety and immediate action taken to remedy any faulty or dangerous conditions.

Asbestos: Any damaged asbestos must be removed and disposed of under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Noise: Steps must be taken to deal with any unacceptable noise levels reported by tenants.

Fire Safety: The property must meet fire safety regulations, i.e. have access to an escape route at all times, and ensure furniture and furnishings are fire safe.

About the Housing Health & Safety Rating System

The HHSRS is a risk assessment framework that local authorities use to make an assessment of the condition of housing in their borough. They have a duty to ensure housing conditions meet a certain standard and to keep them under review. If they detect that any action needs to be taken, they’ll serve an improvement or prohibition notice.

Under the system, local authorities are obliged to identify hazards in rental properties. They base these on the ‘risk of harm’ to the health or safety of a tenant that could arise from a ‘deficiency’ in the property or on any nearby land or other property in the vicinity.

The hazards are classified under two categories which dictate the action that needs to be taken by the local authority. ‘Category 1’ hazards mean action must be taken. ‘Category 2’ hazards are less serious and action may be taken at the local authority’s discretion, but is not compulsory.

The HHSRS applies to all rented properties and also shared houses, where there are also limits on the number of people who can live in the property. This depends on the number and location of washing, toilet and cooking facilities. Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are also required to have fire alarms and extinguishers fitted.

If you’d like to read the details of the Housing Health & Safety Rating System you can do so by following this link.

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