The Housing Act 2004 introduces a new statutory minimum standard for housing called the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).  This system is a risk based assessment, involving consideration of 29 separate hazards.  Where hazards are identified in a property, scores are assigned to the hazards based on the risk they present to the potential occupant.  Scores in excess of 1000 points will render a hazard category 1 requiring mandatory action.  Scores below 1000 will render a hazard category 2 where action is discretionary.

A new range of enforcement action to deal with identified hazards under the Housing Act 2004 is available as follows:

• Improvement notice
• Prohibition order
• Hazard awareness notice
• Emergency remedial action*
• Emergency prohibition order*
• Demolition order*
• Clearance area*

(* not available where a property exhibits category 2 hazards only)

We will seek to reduce the number of homes in the district that pose a risk to the health and safety of the occupants (ie suffer from category 1 hazards) and will take enforcement action where necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Policy.