Housing Conditions in Rented Properties - The Assessment
Process
An officer of the Council may be asked to visit a property by a
tenant, an owner, or a neighbour. Our
Officers can also visit during routine surveys of the
district, when they suspect there maybe a hazard in the
property.
Each officer of the Private Sector Housing Team has the
authority to request access to a property when they believe a
health and safety hazard exists.
Where a problem is deemed to be extremely serious, Private
Sector Housing Officers have the power to gain access without the
authorisation of the owner.
Our Officers will make a full inspection, looking at the whole
of the living accommodation, the garden, access paths, and any
areas shared with other properties or dwellings (such as the common
hallway and stairs in a block of flats).
The officer will record the faults found at the property that
could lead to any of the hazards detailed in the Hazard Profiles table.
A fault is identified as part of the property, such as the
heating, which is in disrepair, poorly maintained or poorly
designed.
Following the inspection, the officer will go back to the office
and carry out an assessment of each hazard. They will
consider the likelihood of an accident happening and then consider
the possible effect it could have on the health of a vulnerable
person such as the elderly or very young.
Each hazard is given a score, and then given a representative
banding between A-J.
- Any hazard falling within A and C is called a Category One
hazard.
- Any hazard falling within D and J is called a Category Two
hazard.
Category One Hazards
The Council has a mandatory duty to deal with category one
hazards. To deal with them an officer must respond by taking
enforcement action, or by giving
advice.
- A category one hazard is considered to be serious, as a result
it is more likely enforcement action would be taken to reduce the
hazard.
- A schedule of work would be identified. This will only be work
that is needed to deal with the hazard and to help reduce the
possibility of an accident occurring.
Category Two Hazards
- The Council has a discretionary power to deal with category two
hazards. This means they may give advice, or take
enforcement action.
- A schedule of work may be produced. This will only
identify work that is needed to deal with the hazard and will help
to reduce the possibility of an accident or health effect
occurring.
Thanet District Council has taken the decision to reduce
all hazards as far as possible but will ensure the work required is
proportionate.