Information for landlords, agents and tenants about Environmental Health inspections of privately rented housing.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the new prescribed national method for the assessment of housing conditions under the Housing Act 2004.
To download or order an essential guide to the HHSRS for landlords and agents, see Related Pages.
About Our Inspections
From 6 April 2006, the old fitness standard which has been in use for nearly a century has been replaced by a new risk assessment inspection system for all residential accommodation - not just Houses in Multiple Occupation.
When we inspect a property, we now have to assess the risks to the occupiers that may be present, and make recommendations about how these risks can be reduced.
There are 29 individual risks which we have to assess, in four categories. You will probably find that the council will be more flexible and less prescriptive, because we are not applying a fixed set of rules regardless of circumstances.
The HHSRS assessment is based on the risk to the potential occupant who is most vulnerable to that hazard.
For example, stairs constitute a greater risk to the elderly, so for assessing hazards relating to stairs they are considered the most vulnerable group.
The very young as well as the elderly are susceptible to low temperatures. A dwelling that is safe for those most vulnerable to a hazard is safe for all.
Room sizes are no longer be prescribed. Instead, we look at a room, consider its purpose and decide whether the size and arrangement present any risk.
Notices and Enforcement
If we have to serve notices requiring a landlord to make specific improvements, we may charge a fee to cover the costs of enforcement –including inspection costs, preparation of the notice, and follow up supervision to see that the work is done.
This will be a decision for the appropriate council committee, and for Houses in Multiple Occupation requiring a licence, will be separate from the HMO licensing fee.
