The Housing Standards Team offers advice and guidance on the standards acceptable in all properties including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s), social housing and owner occupied. 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 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 if your property is rented, preferably in writing, or your social landlord 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. When this is arranged, the officer will contact your landlord to inform them of the inspection. 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, from 1st April, must be checked annually by a suitably qualified Gas Safe engineer. Gas Safe Register is the new hallmark for gas safety in Great Britain and replaces the CORGI gas registration. Landlord information and consumers information is also available online. For further information or to request hard copies please contact Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500. In a gas emergency contact 0800 111 999, Gas installations must also 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 accommodation 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 available 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 396444
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.