Access to this blog is allowed only subject to the acceptance of these terms. End terrace. HMOs and licensed properties will also have extra fire safety requirements depending on the local authority they fall under. You have accepted additional cookies. Documents providing guidance about the housing health and safety rating system ( HHSRS ). For example the means of escape in case of fire can only be properly assessed for the whole of the building. Training courses. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Housing Health and Safety Rating System: outcomes of the scoping review, Local authority enforcement powers under the Housing Act 2004, Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) enforcement guidance: housing conditions, Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS): guidance for landlords and property-related professionals, Reducing the risks: the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) operating guidance: housing inspections and assessment of hazards, Housing health and safety rating system: assessment of high-rise residential buildings with cladding systems. h[o: F-22018l (PDF) HSRS Long Term Support Deskcard - Children's Community Options Program (CCOP) Records and Forms Management Unit. subsequent break up of the thermo plastic floor tiles. Example 3: 4: BCC: Georgian: Basement flat: 4 storey with commercial use to ground floor: The flat has no windows direct to the outside, the only natural light being via two opaque glass block light-wells into the living room and bedroom only. The HHSRS a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. The bedsits share a kitchen, and a single combined shower room and w.c. quality of the staircase, open risers and poor guarding, increase the Additionally, there is no direct natural light to Flat lies almost totally underground, with only the first bedroom having a normal window to the outside. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Forms/Records Manager. If encountered, these chemicals can cause nausea, dizziness and drowsiness and aggravate allergies and skin conditions. They represent the current state of judgement and practice amongst those officers and are not intended as model answers but are offered for peer review. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted throughout a property. Landlords and homeowners who fail to comply can face criminal prosecution. Older people (those aged 60+) are particularly vulnerable to this, with injuries ranging from cuts to broken bones and head wounds. Children under 5 years old are particularly vulnerable to this hazard. Crowding is when a home has inadequate space to live and sleep in. The new Worked Examples have been developed in response to requests from local authorities across the country to represent new scenarios and topical enforcement issues, such as crowding and spaces. Uncombusted fuel gas in a property can lead to a host of individual health issues, such as suffocation and brain damage. It includes, for example, falls out of windows, falls from balconies or landings, falls from accessible roofs, into basement wells, and over garden retaining walls. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. flat has no windows direct to the outside, the only natural light being Example 1: 2: IDeA: 1956: 2 storey: semi detached house: The hazard relates to the access steps leading to the front and rear external doors. over the flat roof extension of the ground floor flat. Created in 2006 to help improve conditions in rental properties, the HHSRS was incorporated into the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. These examples are the opinions of a group of over 20 housing practitioners in the East Midlands. Each hazard score will fall into a band from A to J. The new Worked Examples have been developed in response to requests from local authorities across the country to represent new scenarios and topical enforcement issues, such as crowding and spaces. All appliances and flammable materials should be well-maintained, and safety glass should be fitted to glazed doors to minimise the potential effects of this hazard. dwelling for a year or more. Any biocides should be stored safely and carefully. It supplements the hazard profile for fire as given in the HHSRS operating guidance (see profile 24, pages 150 to 155) and should be read and used in conjunction with that operating guidance. You can change your cookie settings at any time. property, blocks any direct sunlight into the ground and first floor Radiators and pipes should be insulated to prevent burns, and cookers should be placed appropriately to avoid accidental contact when in use. Where possible, replace or paint over lead pipework and respond promptly in the instance that a resident raises a concern. Added Housing health and safety rating system: assessment of high-rise residential buildings with cladding systems. Biocides are chemicals used in property to treat mould growth or timber. 3.3 An assessment of fire hazards under the HHSRS covers threats to an individual from exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke at the dwelling. front door steps are of smooth painted concrete and have no top The worked example provides guidance and illustrates how the addendum to the HHSRS operating guidance can be used for a high rise building with unsafe ACM cladding. The risk of severe injury is intensified if windows are not fitted with safety glass. The risk of a severe or serious outcome occurring is increased by the severity of the mould. mid terrace house. ! A Health and Safety Representative ( HSR) is required in most workplaces with 6-19 workers. Faulty boilers are the leading cause of excess carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. HHSRS WORKED EXAMPLES. Keeps me in touch with whats going on in the housing world. the rear is below ground level. The They give each hazard they identify a score based on the likelihood and potential severity of harm posed. Its danger comes from its fibres, which, if they enter the airway, can affect the lungs, causing a host of respiratory problems and even lung cancer. A strict time frame for when the works are to be carried out. aged under 15 years in 1946-79 non-HMO,1997-99. Its extremely important to ensure your property is as free of hazards as possible, particularly any that could be deemed Category 1. Documents providing guidance about the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS). Operating guidance addendum on the assessment of high-rise residential buildings with cladding systems. There is also low friction to the treads, and inadequate guarding to . This will be affected by how easily windows can be opened and the height of the window sill. The risk of serious injury depends on the voltage of the shock. Lighting, temperature and noise distractions can also have an effect. Space heating. the shared lounge. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. ( Ref: ISBN 9781851128563 It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. This guidance is aimed at non-specialists, in particular private landlords, to help them understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS. However, this is ameliorated by reasonable levels of natural We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Guest Blog: Banging on About School Dinners, By Will Hatchett, Journalist. Develop a comprehensive set of Worked Examples which encompass the range of hazards, illustrate the utilisation of standards and provide a spectrum of risks. A house adjacent to open land with previous rat activity and lack of pest-proofing of the property. This series brings together all documents relating to Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) guidance. Wall insulation and double glazing are effective ways to reduce excessive noise. The Kitchen worktops must also be in good condition to allow effective cleaning after the preparation of food. How User Experience Informs Future Product Development. The Ground floor bedsit. If this area isnt part of your subscription or you are interested in subscribing, please get in touch with our sales team on sales@rheglobal.com or call 01239 711793. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. There are no handrails oneither side of the main flight. His days are filled with guides, blogs, emails and puns. Excessive noise in a property is classed as an HHSRS hazard because the impact of prolonged exposure can affect both physical and mental health. The chance of harm over the next 12 months. Well send you a link to a feedback form. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. Remember that you are not exempt as an agent, as you act on the landlords behalf. property, which has been converted into 5 separate flats. 2. There is an increased risk of accidents in domestic environments where there is not enough space to get around furniture. In addition, the drain, which runs This could be if the home encourages the infestation of household pests such as mice, rats or bedbugs that can spread illness and disease. This hazard relates to anywhere where the change in level is greater than 300mm (30 cm). The outlook from the accommodation is non-existent. Injuries from exposure to electricity can include shocks and burns. There is damp affected plaster and mould growth to the front main walls and to the exterior, Bathroom: The front wall of the bathroom and adjacent ceiling and internal walls are affected by severe and. Being served with either notice can impact your ability to serve a Section 21 notice. New HHSRS Worked Examples Now Available! The top 1910. Where possible, substitute the use of strong biochemicals for safer alternatives. Failure to comply can result in either civil or criminal prosecution. A workedexample of the HHSRS formula is given at Table 3. growth in the bathroom and in the smallest of the three bedrooms, this being most likely to. BCC. While this addendum deals specifically with high-rise residential buildings (those 18 metres high and over) with such cladding, some aspects of this guidance will be relevant to other residential buildings containing flats or apartments. You have accepted additional cookies. If asbestos is discovered, it should be assessed by a qualified professional and either removed or labelled and sealed, depending on the level of risk. 1. Heating and cookers should be placed away from flammable materials. Hazard. Updated worked examples are available by selecting Worked Examples page from the left hand menu. Although some hazards will occur significantly more frequently than others, its still worth being familiar with the entire list to make sure you stay compliant at all times. Radon gas, which comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, can get into a property in an airborne state through a basement or cellar floor. foul and waste water to back-up and leak out onto the common rear yard. 3 storey house. Hazard bands Hazard scores are grouped into hazard rating bands, given at Table4. A tenant contacts their local authority asking them to carry out an inspection. height of the Leylandii hedge, which is within the boundary of the PDF, 2.05 MB, 72 pages. to each maisonette is by means of a gas-fired ducted warm air system. This hazard also takes into account artificial lighting. RHE has now released a new set of HHSRS Worked Examples. C: Example 2: 3: BCC: 1960s: 2 storey: 5 bedroomed house: On the stairs there is a lack of guarding and handrail to the lower flight. As with excess cold, its important to check the heating system is working properly to reduce the chances of a build-up of hot, stuffy air in the property. 58 0 obj <>stream This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. 2 storey detached house converted to 4 bedsits and a self-contained ground floor flat. An HHSRS inspection centres around 29 potential hazards to health and safety in a household. Small rooms sizes - may result in high occupant density. Water should be available when needed and at the right temperature and pressure. Stuart is Senior Copywriter for Fixflo. The 3. There is no central heating or natural lighting. The property contains a living room, News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. version of this document in a more accessible format, please email, Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) operating guidance: addendum for the profile for the hazard of fire and in relation to cladding systems on high rise residential buildings, Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) guidance. 4. Compliance with all relevant laws should be sought from the local authority or local fire service before implementing any fire safety standard. 1. These types of injuries can happen when windows and doors are difficult to close or if the closing mechanism on a fire door, for example, is too powerful. Doors should be strong, secure and well-lit. The %%EOF To access them click the following link. You have rejected additional cookies. The HHSRS a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against. is no handrail on the inside of the stair. stairs comprise extremely steep winders, which have uneven risers and Windows should have suitable locks, and burglar alarms should be fitted where possible. CLG Department of Communities and Local Government, IDeA- Improvement and Development Agency (for Local Government), 3 storey (plus basement) semi detached house. particular, have poor outlook and little natural lighting, and it would The psychological. This includes a diverse group of organic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that are gaseous at room temperature. flight. It is constructed of solid brick walls, a tiled roof and double glazed uPVC windows. When it comes to larger properties, the size of the cooking facilities also matters. The housing health and safety rating system ( HHSRS) is a risk-based assessment evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and. This includes gas and oil-fired boilers but excludes gas cookers. Apart from the In addition to the obvious risk to property and possessions, intruders can cause severe psychological distress. Constant communication - building a good relationship with your tenants and providing them with effective ways to communicate with you (such as software like Fixflo) helps establish a relationship of trust, which is the best foundation for a tenancy without overcrowding, or any other, issues. The rear bedroom has very limited The walls are of cavity construction with brick outer leaf and concrete block inner leaf. front of the flat is at ground level, but the sloping site means that From Vice President, Stephen Battersby and the CIEH. Such a severe outbreak is also likely to have a pschological effect on any. 7Y fMCu~,i=M!(\g Bathroom surfaces must have slip resistance to avoid them becoming dangerous when wet, and taps, switches and other controls must be appropriately sited to avoid flood risk. The HHSRS is not a standard which the. In summary, you are welcome to re-publish any of these blog posts but are asked to attribute Fixflo with an appropriate link to www.fixflo.com. just one small unopenable window, there is minimum natural lighting and All rooms should have either appropriate levels of either natural or artificial light. `e` y,D?kI Wj"Sb 6FP &vFf}(C3\Qp.T,@ =U The only way to know if a building contains radon is to test it, which should be done if your property is in a known affected area. Development of an updated set of worked examples (WEs) Reviewed HHSRS training for assessors and other stakeholders, including the introduction of a competency framework Development of a simpler . It includes assessment of potential. The front page . The Hazard Score is calculated as the sum of the products of the weightings for each Class of Harm which could result from the particular hazard, multiplied by the likelihood of an occurrence, and multiplied by the set of percentages showing the spread of Harms. Tackling these hazards will make housing healthier and safer to live in. Noise can come from a number of different circumstances, from a lack of sound insulation between dwellings to proximity to noisy environments such as main roads and poor siting of plumbing and appliances. Example. Extreme harm, including death, can come from explosions. Eligible small business employers can apply to be reimbursed for the HSR's training cost . HHSRS Worked Examples These examples are the opinions of a group of over 20 housing practitioners in the East Midlands. Alternatively, the council could serve them with a civil penalty of up to 30,000 per offence under the Housing Act 2004.Multiple offences can lead to eye-watering fines. the shower room there is no supply of either hot or cold water to the Commonly used in older buildings as insulation, asbestos has proven to be highly dangerous and was banned from sale in the UK in 1999. This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. particularly dark. Consider, too, that stairs may be used in darkness; ensure there is adequate lighting at the top and bottom of the stairs to guide users to where the steps are. The housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. RH Environmental Ltd. of the day and night. In 2017, one landlord was fined a total of 190,500 for letting rooms without windows or access to natural or artificial light, which breached hazards 11 and 13. Ensure stair structures and handrails are in good condition, with even heights between steps. This hazard is about risks to physical and mental health from poor facilities for personal hygiene, including those for personal and clothes washing.