RHE is undertaking a scoping study as the first stage of a review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). The HHSRS is the approach taken to evaluate potential risks to health and safety of actual, or potential occupiers, from any deficiencies identified in dwellings. Evaluating the risks from housing conditions is the first step local authorities take when using their powers within Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004.

There are 29 hazards in the HHSRS (Annex 1), and after an inspection to identify defects in the dwelling, the surveyor assesses the likelihood of a hazardous event (such as a fall, or the exposure to damp and mould) that could arise from those defects and the severity of injury or illness that might occur as a result. The local authority then determines which of the powers available to them under the Housing Act 2004 is used to protect the occupiers. Such action can require the owner to carry out remedial action or prohibit use of all or part of the property from being occupied. If the hazard is rated as very serious (Category 1), the local authority has a duty to take one of the courses of action available to them; for other hazards (Category 2), they have discretion to take action.

We would like to seek the views of tenants and those organisations and agencies that provide support and advice to tenants regarding poor housing conditions. Your participation in this scoping study is welcomed in order to help inform the future direction of the assessment of housing conditions and the HHSRS.

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* 1. Please provide the following personal information:

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* 2. What experience do you have of dwelling inspections undertaken by local authorities? [Multi-select below]

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* 3. Are you aware of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System as a means of assessing and addressing poor housing conditions?

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* 4. In relation to questions 4 to 11 below, please consider your most recent local authority visit. Did the local authority undertake a thorough inspection of the dwelling comprising all areas of the house?

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* 5. Did the local authority respond promptly after a complaint was made to them, i.e. within 10 working days?

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* 6. During the inspection did the local authority inspector/s explain to you what they believed was wrong with the property and how this may affect the health of the occupiers or potential occupiers?

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* 7. Did the local authority inspectors explain the possible courses of action that the local authority could take to remedy any housing defects identified during the inspection?

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* 8. Did the local authority serve a legal notice or order requiring the landlord to carry out work or use other powers under the Housing Act 2004? 

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* 9. If Yes to question 8, please confirm whether the landlord fully complied with the instructions of the notice or order served?

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* 10. Were you satisfied that the local authority fully addressed your concerns raised both at the time of your original complaint and during the inspection?

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* 11. Are you satisfied that the local authority sufficiently utilised the enforcement powers available to them to help address your complaints regarding poor housing conditions and occupiers’ health and safety?

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* 12. Are you satisfied that local authorities have sufficient enforcement powers available to them to help resolve concerns regarding poor housing conditions?

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* 13. Do you think the penalties for non-compliance against the landlord are adequate?

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* 14. Are there any potential health and safety hazards in the home that you do not think have been identified in the list of 29 HHSRS Hazards (Annex 1)?

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* 15. Do you think the HHSRS is an effective system in assessing housing conditions? If not, what do you think would be a better approach to the assessment and improvement of housing conditions?

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* 16. In determining a dwellings level of fitness for human habitation, how would you rate the following matters in terms of priority, primarily based on the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018? Please can you use a scale of 1 (highest) to 10 (least important) in the boxes provided below:

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* 17. If you have any further comments that you would like to make with regards to the HHSRS, housing conditions, the protection of tenants’ health and safety and related enforcement provisions please do so below: 

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