Attributed to Nicholas Donnithorne FLS FRES, UK Technical Manager at Rentokil Property Care
Prior to calling the 4 July 2024 general election, the Renters Reform Bill had been one of the most notable pieces of legislation working its way through Parliament. While the bill can’t return in its current form, reforming the private rental sector will likely remain an important issue for the new government.
One way private landlords can prepare for potential future legislation is to ensure their properties achieve a good score on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), the criteria against which inspectors evaluate a property’s living conditions.
Achieving a positive HHSRS inspection score could provide a landlord with peace of mind that their property is fit for purpose.
What is the Housing Health and Safety Rating System?
The HHSRS operating guidance outlines a series of criteria properties must meet, covering their state of repair, safety, security, and comfort. The latest government consultation estimates that 79% of properties in the private rental sector already meet these standards. However, that leaves 21% of properties that don’t.
Should further regulation be introduced to make meeting these criteria enforceable, as was suggested under the proposed Renters Reform Bill, investment in upgrades could be required. Therefore, it is advisable for landlords to start addressing property care issues sooner rather than later to get ahead of the compliance curve and ensure a positive rating.
The HHSRS 29 hazards list includes various threats, mainly relating to the health and safety of occupants. It is a risk-based evaluation tool used by local authorities to identify and protect from potential risks and hazards to health and safety in dwellings. The HHSRS itself is not a standard, but guidance for landlords and professionals within the property sector.
It is used to check that properties are fit for human habitation from the start of the tenancy and throughout its duration and ultimately ensures that landlords and their properties satisfy the fundamental needs of a household’s everyday life.
The HHSRS isn’t new. Indeed, the private rental sector is already subject to inspection outlined in the HHSRS as part of the Housing Act 2004. So, landlords should already be ensuring that their properties are fit for purpose across several key issue areas such as damp and mould growth, excess cold (below 18°C), excess heat (above 21°C), biocides, crowding, lighting, and noise.
What Can Private Landlords Do to Ensure a Good HHSRS Rating?
When it comes to issues such as dampness and mould, it is essential not only to clean the mould but also to address the root cause that started the problems in the first place, or it is likely to reappear quickly. Mould tends to flourish in places lacking ventilation and where dampness lingers for more than six hours, which allows spores to begin germinating. The most common cause is condensation, which occurs when warm, moist air meets a cooler surface, causing the moisture to condense at what is known as ‘the dew point’.
Over 839,000 homes in the UK are estimated to suffer from damp problems, with excess moisture created by everyday activities such as cooking and cleaning. The best way to improve ventilation in a property is to fit a modern extractor fan in high moisture-producing rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, use trickle vents on windows, or keep a quarter light open for background ventilation. Other steps for landlords to consider include insulating walls, windows, and pipes.
For further peace of mind, Positive Input Ventilation Systems (PIVs) draw in clean, filtered air from outdoors and ventilate the whole house gently, pushing the damp, stale air out of the property, with positive results after 4-6 weeks. This leaves a clean environment for tenants to live in while combatting the conditions promoting dampness and mould growth.
Acting now and getting ahead of the compliance curve will give landlords confidence that their properties will be compliant should future legislation come into force for the private rental sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Category 1 Hazards under HHSRS?
Category 1 hazards are the most serious hazards identified under the HHSRS. They pose a severe threat to health and safety and require immediate action by the landlord to mitigate the risk.
What Is an HHSRS Certificate?
An HHSRS certificate is a document that confirms a property has been assessed and meets the required health and safety standards as outlined by the HHSRS.
Who Regulates HHSRS?
Local authorities regulate the HHSRS and are responsible for conducting inspections and ensuring that properties comply with health and safety standards.
Ensuring your property is compliant helps protect your tenants’ health and safety and can also safeguard you from potential future legislative changes. By staying informed and proactive, landlords can maintain high standards and provide their tenants with safe, comfortable living conditions.
For professional advice and solutions, contact us or book a survey online.
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