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Housing Unfitness and Disrepair
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Housing Conditions - Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Potential risks to the health and safety of occupants arising from any deficiencies in dwellings are assessed by the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
The main principle of the HHSRS is that any residential premises should provide a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor. The assessment using the HHSRS is made based on the condition of the whole dwelling looking specifically at 29 different hazards, including Excess Cold, Falls on Stairs, Electrical Hazards and Structural Collapse. The likelihood of injury or ill health arising from any specific hazard is then calculated to produce a score that falls into a particular Hazard Band. Scores that fall into Hazard Bands A-C (high scores) are known as Category 1 hazards and those that fall into hazard Bands D-J are Category 2 hazards. Category 1 hazards are the more serious hazards. Further information can be found in HHSRS Essential Information for Landlords and Tenants (PDF 539 Kb) and in the full 'operating guidance' (PDF 913Kb) on HHSRS.
Where Category 1 hazards are identified, the Local Authority can then take enforcement action to remove them. Our Enforcement Policy (PDF 338Kb) defines the principles that the Council will follow when making regulatory decisions and, in particular, as to the most appropriate action following the identification of Category 1 or Category 2 hazards (HHSRS Enforcement Guidance (PDF 402Kb)).
Information for Tenants
If you rent your home and some repairs are needed, your landlord will normally be responsible for ensuring these are done. You should inform your landlord of any problems at an early stage and allow them a reasonable time period to carry out any works that may be required. Your landlord has the right to enter your home to carry out repairs as long as reasonable notice has been given to you, although sometimes without notice if emergency repairs are required.
If you have told your landlord about repairs that need doing in your home and they have not made arrangements for them to be carried out, you can contact Environmental Health by telephoning (01284) 757053 or email Env.Health@stedsbc.gov.uk and and officer will investigate your concerns and take action, where necessary, to require your landlord to carry out works to remedy any defects.
Gas Installations
If your rented property has a gas supply or any gas appliances, for example, a gas cooker or boiler, your landlord is required by law to ensure that a safety check is carried out by a Gas Safe registered gas engineer on each gas appliance/flue every year. Your landlord must also give the occupying tenant a copy of the gas safety inspection within 28 days of the inspection being carried out. Any new tenant must also receive a copy of the current certificate and the landlord must keep records of every safety check for at least two years.
Landlords are not, however, obliged to check any appliances that are owned by you or any flues/chimneys that are only connected to an appliance owned by you.
If you are concerned that your landlord is not complying with the law, ring the Health & Safety Executive's Gas Safety Line on 0800 300 363 or visit www.hse.gov.uk/gas/ .
Further Guidance on Housing Standards
Updated: 25 March 2011
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