The Housing Standards Team offers advice and guidance on
the standards acceptable in privately rented properties including
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s). We can assist with issues
including disrepair, fire safety, management of properties, gas and
electrical safety and overcrowding. We provide inspection services
and enforcement of the regulations.
Complaints about housing conditions
If you think that your privately rented property is in disrepair
or is unsafe then you can make a complaint to the Housing Standards
team.
How do I complain?
Initially you will
need to contact your landlord preferably in writing to inform them
there is a problem with repairs or conditions at the property. If
after a reasonable time period the landlord refuses to complete
repairs then you should contact the Housing Standards Team. See how
to contact the Housing Standards Team below.
What happens if I complain?
An officer will
need to visit your property to assess the conditions. If we
identify the property requires repairs because it is unsafe or the
property fails to meet other applicable standards then we can
approach the landlord on your behalf.
The team cannot
ask the landlord to improve the internal decoration of a
property.
We can request the
landlord completes the work to the property either informally or by
service of legal notice to ensure compliance with minimum legal
housing standards.
If the works are
not completed satisfactorily then we may undertake works in default
and charge the landlord for the costs incurred or we may take the
case to court where a fine may be levied on the landlord.
General Standards
It is the
landlords responsibility to ensure that any rented accommodation
meets the statutory standards. The Housing Act 2004 introduced the
“
Housing Health and Safety Rating System” (HHSRS). This is a
risk assessment system and identifies if there are any serious
hazards at the property which can affect your health.
The most common
hazards in properties are:
-
Excess Cold
-
Falls on Stairs
-
Electrical Safety
-
Fire Safety
Following a risk
assessment, the most serious hazards are classed as Category One
hazards and the Council has a duty to take action to reduce the
risk. The Council will normally take informal action first and if
the landlord fails to undertake repairs the Council may serve a
notice requiring repairs. For very serious hazards, the Council may
decide to go straight to a notice requiring repairs. For less
serious hazards, the Council may decide not to take any action.
Additional requirements for landlords
Gas installations and appliances
must be checked annually by a suitably qualified CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers)
registered gas installer and the installation must meet the
requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
1998.
Electrical installations should ideally be in
compliance with BS7671: 1992 – Requirements for electrical
installations, with the work being carried out by an NICEIC (National
Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
registered contractor.
Furniture and furnishings provided by the landlord must
comply with the provisions contained in the Furniture and
Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
Space and Room Standards
We also ensure that properties meet the standards for the number
of occupants and are not statutorily overcrowded. This is achieved
by assessing the number and size of ‘habitable’ rooms
(lounges,bedrooms and dining rooms) present in the accomodation and
comparing this to the standards. For further information see
overcrowding in dwellings
Houses in Multiple Occupation
If the property is a House in Multiple Occupation then
additional requirements for fire precautions and means of escape in
case of fire are applicable. Further information is avaliable on
the Houses in
Multiple Occupation pages
Enforcement Policy
The enforcement policy provides information on the process of
enforcement of housing legislation and the standards of service
that you can expect from our team. Further information on these
guidelines is available in the
Enforcement Policy.
Contacting us
Housing Standards
Team,
Bath and North
East Somerset Council,
Adult Social
Services and Housing,
PO Box 3343
Bath BA1 2ZH
Tel: 01225
396269
Fax: 01225
477839
E-mail:
housing_regeneration@bathnes.gov.uk
Further Information
We produce a number of leaflets and guidance relating to housing
standards for tenants and landlords.
