building regs on rented property

ihatemyhouse

I know when a house is built it has to be built to current regs,

but what about rented property does it have a minimum standards of regs, or is it that it can be rented in any state, regardless of when it was built

Guest101

Both have standards, it's easier to advise if you can tell us the problem

datlex

There was an article this week on Yahoo about this. Apparently buildings do have to meet certain rentable standards. So for example some bloke had made a combination loo, kitchen, diner and that wasn't allowed.

G_M

A rented property, just like any property, must comply with the Building Regs in force at the time it is built, or the time the improvement / extension/ whatever is made.

The fact it is rented is irrelevant.

Rented properties must meet certain other standards eg
* they must not be unsafe (LL would be liable for an accident)
* they must have annual gas inspections
* the electrics must be safe
* the furniture must be fire-resistant.

HMOs (houses of multiple occupation) have additional requirements which are imposed by local authorities (see your council website)

ihatemyhouse

cheers, I had a inspection last night for the damp problem, and they where saying that the house wasn't up to regs as there isn't enough ventilation and the heating isn't up to standard to stop the damp

basically, I can run the boiler at 75, the rads will be hot to touch, but 2 foot above the rads the temp will be 12 degrees, the inspector said, that the rads aint heating the air enough, so by time gets over to the wall its condensation, even with windows open it wont sort the damp problem, plus to get down stairs hot, I have to run the rads off up stairs

sandsni

The people who told you what regs the house wasn't up to would be the best people to tell you what regs they are talking about and what the required regs are. Was this the environmental health people? I would imagine they will send a report to the LL setting out what problems they found and what remedial action is required.


If the house is cold to start with any heat will dissipate quickly. How long was the boiler run at 75 for?

ihatemyhouse

EH re out Tuesday, this was damp specialist, the boiler is on for abut 2 hours in morning and then 5 hours at night, spend about £150 a week on gas

just cant seem to heat the house, as the walls are damp and cold, as one end of the house, seems to have a leak in the loft, so when rains the walls where just getting wet, I have tied marks along the ceiling where water is coming down

dimbo61

£150 a week or £7800 a year!!!! for Gas?

our Gas and electric bill is about £115 a month for modern 4 bed detached house with Gas central heating, modern build so cavity wall insulation, double glazing, 12 year old boiler, 3 storey with master bedroom+ bathroom in loft.

sandsni

Even in a really old house like mine 7 hrs per day would be enough unless there was a sustained icy spell.


I understand your frustrations with your LL, but unfortunately, because the house has been allowed to get so cold and damp it could take months for the walls to dry out even after remedial action is taken. Are you still sure you want to see this through to the bitter end?

ihatemyhouse

I phoned up about loft insulation, and got told that it had been done in 2011 and my house had a energy rating thing of 1,

if I don't turn the heating on, you can see your breath in the living room

had to get ele blankets for the beds, as when going bed at the night the beds where cold and felt damp,


just counting down the days till I am out of here

ihatemyhouse

sandsni wrote: »

Even in a really old house like mine 7 hrs per day would be enough unless there was a sustained icy spell.


I understand your frustrations with your LL, but unfortunately, because the house has been allowed to get so cold and damp it could take months for the walls to dry out even after remedial action is taken. Are you still sure you want to see this through to the bitter end?

I will be out of here before xmas, because I got EH the LL isn't happy, as they will make him fix the probs in the house, a builder said, there is rising damp, penetration damp, chimney is unsafe, leak in the loft, making one side of the house wet, mold, windows aint sealed properly and door frames are all rotten, so the heat just leaves the house,

did some digging, the LL cant rent it thought a LA as no one will touch the house, so he private rents it, no tenant has stayed more than 6 months, all he says is there is no damp, must be the tenants, doing something wrong