The housing health and safety rating system
All deficiencies found during the Housing Health
and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspection will be recorded
and assessed for the risk they pose. Where high risk (Category 1)
hazards are identified, a ‘satisfactory’ letter will not be
issued. The applicant, usually the home owner, will be told of the
defects. If the property is rented, the landlord will also be
informed. All remedial works will need to be satisfactorily
attended to before the Council can confirm that the property is
suitable. If necessary, the council will take statutory action to
ensure works are carried out, whether or not the application
proceeds. Where lower risk (Category 2) hazards only are
identified, the applicant will be notified of the defects. Category
2 hazards alone will not render the house unsatisfactory.
The overcrowding standards
In addition to the HHSRS assessment concerning
crowding and space,
an assessment will be made against the statutory overcrowding
standards. In order to make this assessment, the officer will
measure the size of every habitable room such as living rooms,
dining, and study rooms as well as bedrooms. It is essential that
the officer has access to all these areas otherwise an overall
assessment cannot be made and the house will be judged to be
unsatisfactory. When making this assessment, the sponsored person
will be included in the calculations as if they were already living
in the house. If the property would become statutorily overcrowded
as a result of the person/s moving in then you may have to find
alternative accommodation for the person/s being sponsored to live
in. In these circumstances a ‘satisfactory’ letter will not be
issued.
The decent homes standard
The house must meet the decency standard set by the government.
If the house fails to meet the decency standard, a ‘satisfactory’
letter will not be issued. Many of the requirements for meeting the
decent homes standard are linked to the HHSRS, and in these cases,
meeting the requirements of one will generally satisfy the
requirements of the other.