Private sector housing - housing standards

Private Sector Housing Standards are delivered by the Neighbourhood Renewal Division within the Council's Regeneration and Environment Service.

Aim of the service

The aim of the service is to ensure that comprehensive housing and public health related advice is delivered to residents and property owners in the private sector in the City. It also involves the enforcement of housing and associated legislation to ensure satisfactory housing standards where appropriate. 

Main areas of work

Dealing with enquiries

Dealing with enquiries from residents about the standards they should expect in their rented property.

There is a new Housing Act which has altered the way in which property standards are assessed so that investigating Environmental Health Practitioners will consider a number of matters at each property that they visit.

They will carry out a Housing Health and Safety Rating Assessment of the property to determine whether the house contains any defect which could affect the health, safety or welfare of the occupiers.

Giving advice

Advice will be given to landlords regarding statutory requirements and standards that their properties should reach, and specific advice about the standards of schemes such as the Student Accreditation Scheme and the mandatory HMO licensing scheme.

Advice will also be given to private sector tenants regarding property standards they should expect and action which is available both to themselves and the Council to enforce standards.

Advice will be given to private sector tenants and landlords on gas safety issues in respect of statutory standards.

The Council is not the enforcing authority for gas safety standards, but will investigate complaints. Enforcement is carried out by the Health and Safety Executive. They can be contacted at:

Health and Sefety Executive

1 Hagley Road
Birmingham
B16 8HS

 

Phone: 0121 607 6200
Fax: 0121 607 6349
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk

What is the Housing Health and Safety Rating System?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System is the means by which all local authorities assess housing conditions in private domestic dwellings.

To download the Housing Health and Safety Rating System document, click on the PDF icon below:

Where can I find out more information?

For information for landlords, the general public and builders including frequently asked questions and documents visit the Department for Communities and Local Government website.

A guide to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System can be downloaded from the Asset Skills website if you are a member of a relevant organisations.

If you would like a copy of the guide but are unable to access the document, contact us and we will send you a copy. 

Contacts

For more information about private sector housing standards, contact the private sector housing team.