Creative Green Energy Services for Landlords
There is no legal requirement for landlords to use HHSRS. Nevertheless in carrying out risk assessments as part of the process of ensuring that residential hazards are maintained as low as is practical, landlords will be acting responsibly and also will reduce the risk of enforcement action by local authorities.
However, landlords as ‘responsible persons’ do have a duty under the Fire Safety Order to carry out a risk assessment to determine any fire safety measures required in common parts of buildings comprising flats and in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
‘Landlords also have statutory repairing obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act and the Defective Premises Act. Carrying out and documenting risk assessments, and acting on the findings, can assist landlords to satisfy their repairing obligations.’
The 29 Hazards That You Will Need To Check Your Property
For each you should set the priority and remedial action, the risk assessment should be in writing and updated with remedial actions if required and once completed. The risks should be reviewed periodically which could be annually, at the start or renewal of a tenancy.
| Hazard | Description of Hazzard |
| Asbestos
|
Presence of and exposure to asbestos fibres and manufacturer mineral fibres within dwelling |
| Biocides | Threats to health from chemicals used to treat timber and mould growth |
| Carbon Monoxide | Hazards due to the presence of excess levels in the atmosphere of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide or sulphur dioxide and smoke within dwelling |
| Collision and Entrapment | Risks of injury from trapping body parts in architectural features – trapping fingers in doors, colliding with objects such as glazing, ceilings and walls |
| Crowding and Space | Hazards associated with lack of space for living, sleeping and family life |
| Damp & Mould Growth | Health threats due to dust mites, mould or fungal growths |
| Domestic Hygiene | Poor design, layout and construction resulting in the dwelling not being able to be kept clean and hygienic, inadequate and unhygienic provision for storing and disposal of household waste |
| Electrical Hazards | Hazards from shock and burns resulting from exposure to electricity, including from lightning strikes |
| Entry by Intruders | Difficulties in keeping a dwelling secure against unauthorised entry and the
maintenance of defensible space |
| Position & Operability of Amenities | Threats of physical strain associated with functional space |
| Excess Cold | Threats to health from sub-optimal indoor temperatures, a healthy indoor temperature is 21o C |
| Excess Heat | Threats to health due to excessively high indoor air temperatures |
| Explosions | Threats from blast of an explosion, from debris generated from partial or total collapse as a result of explosion |
| Falls in Baths | Falls associated with a bath, shower or similar facility |
| Falls Between Levels | Falls between one level and another, inside or outside a dwelling where the difference between levels is more than 300mm – from balconies, out of windows, garden retaining walls etc |
| Falls on the Level | Falls on any level surface such as floors, yards and paths, where the change in level is less than 300mm |
| Falls on Stairs | Falls associated with stairs, steps and ramps where the change in level is greater than 300mm – includes all internal and external stairs, steps, ramps and balustrades |
| Fire | Threats from exposure to uncontrolled fire associated smoke at a dwelling. Includes injuries from clothing catching alight. |
| Food Safety | Threats of infection from poor provision of facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food |
| Hot Surfaces etc | Threats of burns and injuries caused by contact with flame or fire, hot objects or liquids. Threats of scalds and injuries caused by contact with hot liquids and vapors |
| Lead | Health threat from lead ingestion – sources; paint, water pipes, soil, fumes from leaded petrol |
| Lighting | Threats to physical and mental health associated with inadequate natural /artificial light, including psychological effects associated with the view from the dwelling through glazing |
| Noise | Threats to physical and mental health due to exposure to noise inside the dwelling or within its curtilage |
| Personal Hygiene | Threats of infection and threats to mental health associated with personal hygiene; including personal and clothes washing, sanitation and drainage |
| Radiation (Radon Gas) | Health threads due to radon gas and its daughters, primarily airborne, but also dissolved in water |
| Structural Collapse | Threat of dwelling collapse or of a part of the fabric being displaced due to inadequate fixing or disrepair |
| Uncombusted Gas Fuel | Threat from fuel gas escaped into the atmosphere within dwelling |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | Diverse group of organic chemicals that are gaseous at room temperature and found in a wide variety of materials within the home |
| Water Supply | The quality and adequacy of the water supply for drinking and domestic purposes; including threats from contamination by bacteria, protozoa, parasites, viruses and chemical pollutants |