Property Inspections - latest information - update on 30 March 2020

Please see current guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities in the context of Coronavirus (Covid-19)

COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities

• We will only inspect properties to investigate likely Category 1 HHSRS hazards requiring urgent action such as where an imminent risk to health exists; these would include problems mentioned on page 18 of The Guidance for Landlords and Tenants

• All involved including inspectors, tenants, contractors, agents and landlords should take precautions to avoid virus transmission 

Works to remedy Category 1 hazards

• Works specified in HHSRS works agreements and improvement notices should be carried out in accordance with the specified timescales, having regard to The Guidance for Landlords and Tenants

• Contractors, agents and landlords to take precautions to avoid virus transmission and include in health and safety risk assessments and action plans

• If you have any concerns about compliance with work that we have asked you to carry out and which should have been completed during the Covid-19 crisis, please contact the housing standards duty officer. 

Waste and rats

We are aware that many lettings have been vacated quickly and tenants may not have removed rubbish, in particular food waste, which could encourage rats and mice. We urge you to liaise with your tenants to see, if this is the case, and where possible, arrange for food waste to be properly disposed of.    

Gas and electrical safety

Where gas safety and electrical certificates become due, these should be arranged, subject to above guidance to prevent transmission.  Many student properties in Bath are now empty and would be safe to work in, however appropriate notice should be given to tenants prior to access.  Please see page 19 of The Guidance for Landlords and Tenants.

Please see below Guidance on social distancing

Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK 

For urgent issues please use the following numbers

Otherwise contact us by email: Housing@bathnes.gov.uk

Our lines are open 8:30-17:00 Monday-Thursday; 8:30-16:30 Friday

We thank you for your patience.

What is an HMO?

HMO licensing

Fire safety

Housing repairs and safety

HMO Management Regulations

Management Regulations for HMOs (with shared facilities)

Management Regulations for HMOs converted into self-contained flats 

Latest News

https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/how-we-can-help/get-covid-support 

Covid-19 Support | Centre for Sustainable Energy

Where possible we have adapted our advice to support our clients during the current situation. If you would like advice for any of the topics below, please complete the referral form and we will be in touch when possible. Depending on where you live and who you buy your energy from, we can help you ...  www.cse.org.uk

HMO licence online applications now live

Newsletters

Public Consultation Report on an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme for Bath City 2018 Summary

Notification of Bath City Additional HMO Licensing Area 2019 - 2023

New Additional Licensing area map

Designation of Bath City Additional HMO Licensing Area

Planning controls for HMOs

Following concerns about the high impacts of HMOs on the social balance and mix of parts of the city the Council decided to use its rights to exert greater planning controls in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Bath.  Anyone looking to purchase a family house in Bath that they might want to “buy to let” as an HMO is likely to require planning permission.  Where there is already a high concentration of HMOs on the street they may be unlikely to obtain planning permission to change use to an HMO. The details of the policy that planning applications will be decided on is defined in the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on HMOs in Bath, available along with further information from HMO Planning Policy.

Letting Agents and Property Managers: Redress Scheme

How to join an approved scheme to avoid a fine of up to £5,000.

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