Housing Standards

Housing Enforcement, Property Standards & Disrepair

The Private Sector Housing team works closely with owners, leaseholders, landlords and tenants to improve housing conditions for people within Wychavon. The Housing Act 2004 introduced new new enforcement options, a National Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation and have changed the methods of assessment of property standards to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

How to Make a Complaint

In the first instance tenants need to let their landlord know about the problem, in order to give him/her the chance to put it right. You should also take a note of the date and details of the complaint. If you do not receive a satisfactory response please contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 01386 565000 or email For further advice.

If you are a tenant from a Social Landlord you must in the first instance contact you housing officer or the repairs team to report the problem and work with your housing association thoroughly before contacting the private sector housing team.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The HHSRS is the Governments new approach to evaluate the potential risk to the health and safety from any defects identified with in the property. It is based on the likelihood of an occurrence causing harm and the probable severity of the outcomes of the occurrence. It relies on the informed professional judgements of both of these to provide a simple means of representing the severity of any dangers present in a dwelling.

During an inspection at your property the Officer will identify any of the 29 hazards. These include:

• Excess cold
• Damp and Mould Growth
• Excess heat
• Crowding and Space
• Entry by Intruders
• Personal Hygiene, Sanitation and Drainage
• Falls associated with baths, level surfaces and stairs
• Electrical Hazards
• Fire
• Structural Collapse and Falling Elements

The hazards are rated and the severity is categorised as a Category 1 Hazard which is the most sever and the Council has a duty to get remedied and a Category 2 Hazard which is less sever and the Council has a power to remedy. This will determine the next step for the complaint.

Enforcement

Where ever possible we try to improve the standards of the property by working with the landlord, owner or leaseholder. However in some circumstances it is necessary to take formal action. This includes:

• A Hazard Awareness Notice
• Improvement Notice
• Prohibition Notice
• Emergency Remedial Action
• Demolition Order
• Designate a Clearance Area

Please note that from 1 April 2012, that there will be a charge of £171.00 for serving formal enforcement notices.

Citizens Advice Bureau:

Where a property fails to meet these standards we can step in, to improve living conditions.  We can advise landlords and tenants on their responsibilities and try to resolve problems amicably, but where required we have powers to take appropriate enforcement action.

Typical complaints include:

• overcrowding
• disrepair
• gas safety
• fire safety
• damp and condensation.

We can investigate issues arising from any home including privately rented; housing association and owner occupied property.

Landlord and Tenant Advice

Wychavon Landlords Forum

Wychavon District Council run an annual Landlords Forum. The next forum will be in October 2010. Further details will follow.

Further Information

Included below are links to other organisations and documents that can provide further information on specific issues:

Complaints regarding odour, noise and smoke please contact Environmental Health on 01386 565015

Complaints regarding refuse collections, bulky waste collections and wheelie bins please contact Client Services on 01386 565018

Complaints regarding planning issues and building regulations please contact the main switchboard at Wychavon District Council on 01386 565000.

Complaints regarding condensation and mould growth

Advice on energy saving

Gas Safety:

Electrical Safety:  download Landlords Guide to Electrical Safety

Homestamp (a partnership consortium with an interest in private sector housing comprising of Local Authorities, The Private Rented Sector, Universities, West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service).

National Landlords Association:

Advice booklet for landlords about keeping 'illegal drugs' out of properties

Enquiries

For more information please view our on-line advice leaflets or contact our Senior Property Standards Officer:

Ismene Broad
Property Standards Enforcement Officer
Telephone 01386 565341 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Fax 01386 561092
Email ismene.broad@wychavon.gov.uk