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General housing standards

Rented accommodation must comply with certain basic legal standards set out in the Housing Acts, Environmental Protection Act, Landlord and Tenant Act and also Planning and Building Control legislation.

In April 2006, the Housing Act 2004 introduced the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as the means of identifying and evaluating defects and deficiencies that may have a potential effect on the health and safety of the occupiers and visitors in a dwelling or house in multiple occupation.

The underlying principle of the HHSRS is that any residential premises should provide a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupier or visitor.

To satisfy this principle, a dwelling (which includes paths, yards, gardens, outbuildings and boundary structures) should be designed, constructed and maintained with non-hazardous materials and should be free from both unnecessary and avoidable hazards.

Generally, the landlord or owner is responsible for the provision, state and proper working order of the following.

The exterior and structural elements of the dwelling, including all:

• doors
• load bearing elements
• means of access and amenity space
• roofs
• walls
• windows

The internal installations associated with:

• food safety including kitchen facilities for food storage and preparation, sinks and sufficient socket outlets
• personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage, including drains, toilets, wash basins, baths and showers
• space
• the supply and use of water, gas and electricity
• ventilation
• water heating

This responsibility does not generally extend to internal decoration or to fixtures and fittings that are provided by the occupier.

There is an additional licensing amenity standard that sets out the facilities required in houses in multiple-occupation that are subject to the licensing provisions.

We also consider the following when assessing the suitability of a property:

• in the case of houses in multiple-occupation, the adequacy of management arrangements
• the safety of gas installations and appliances
• the condition of the electrical installation including portable appliances provided by the landlord
• the safety of the furniture, furnishings and other upholstered products provided by the landlord