Keeping up to date with Landlord Legislation
Is your property ready to rent? What is The Housing Health and Safety Rating System? What should you do to avoid a fine?
Guidance for Landlords and Property Related Professionals
In March 2019, the Fitness for Habitation Bill was implemented and is now fully in force as of 20th March 2020. Tenants now have the right to take legal action against landlords if their property does not comply with the standard of the Housing Health and Safe Rating System. One landlord with another agent received a fine of £12,000 for as they failed to comply with improvement notices. Failure to comply with a statutory notice could lead to a prosecution and/or fine In the Magistrates Court, or a civil/financial penalty up to £30,000!
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is designed to look into the risk to tenants when living in a property that has not been properly maintained. The purpose is to identify the most common hazards and work on solutions to get them resolved as quickly as possible. There are 29 fitting into 4 categories listed below:
1) Physiological Requirements
These are to do with the damp and mould growth, excess cold or heat, carbon monoxide and fuel combustion products, lead, radiation and organic compounds.
2) Psychological Requirements - Space, Security, Light and Noise.
This is to do with the lack of space and crowding, entry by intruders - making sure the property is secure, inadequate
natural/artificial light and lack of sufficient sound insulation.
3) Protection against Infection - Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply
Poor design/layout/construction of the dwelling so that it is difficult to be kept clean and hygienic; Inadequate and unhygienic provision for storage and disposal of household waste.
4) Protection against Accidents - Electric shocks, Fires, Burns and Scalds, Falls, Collisions, Cuts and Strains
These are falls associated with baths, falling on a level surface, falling on stairs and ramps, electrical hazards, structural collapse and falling elements.
So what should you do to avoid a fine?
As a landlord, the legislation is never ending and knowing when your property is ready to go on the market can be quite overwhelming. Keeping up to date with the latest legislation is vital. This is our full time job, we include this as part of our inventory and we recommend that you do the same. If you identify anything that doesn't comply you must rectify that before your tenants move in to avoid any penalties.
If you are worried that one of your properties doesn’t comply or you want more information about HHSRS and what you need to do then give us a call on 01970 636 010, we’d be happy to help.
Take care,
The Alexanders Team