Inspection of Rented Homes

davidjames1701

Hi, I’ve a friend who’s living in a rented semi with her two young daughters, I had my doubts about the safety of the property when she moved in, some dodgy wiring, and other faults, but she wouldn’t do anything about it as she was scared she’d loose her home, since then she’s had several electrical problems that seem to have been fixed, the landlord has recently sent a builder to quote for work on the brick built porch, the guy said, the roofs leaking and it’s mouldy under the floor covering, and needs a lot more work than the landlord thought, he advised her to keep her young daughters out of the porch, can she get a independent inspection of the property by the council to get the landlord to do the work needed ? 

princeofpounds

Potentially yes, although I don't know how it's working under Covid. 

It's called a Housing Health & Safety Rating System Inspection and there will be a team at the council that handle it. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hhsrs-operating-guidance-housing-act-2004-guidance-about-inspections-and-assessment-of-hazards-given-under-section-9

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/repairs-in-rented-housing/asking-the-local-authority-for-help-with-repairs/local-authority-help-with-repairs-housing-health-and-safety-rating-system/

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/health_and_safety_standards_for_rented_homes_hhsrs

There is some measure of protection to prevent retaliatory eviction if you have asked for repairs. But to be frank with the Covid rules on longer notice periods and the huge backlogs in courts... could be a year before she has to move anywhere, and often even poor landlords aren't as revengeful as people think because it's not really in their interest to remove paying tenants:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/revenge_eviction_if_you_ask_for_repairs

There are other options to dealing with the problem too.
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/what_to_do_if_your_private_landlord_wont_do_repairs
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/doing_the_repairs_if_your_landlord_wont

AdrianC

davidjames1701 said:

Hi, I’ve a friend who’s living in a rented semi with her two young daughters, I had my doubts about the safety of the property when she moved in, some dodgy wiring, and other faults, but she wouldn’t do anything about it as she was scared she’d loose her home, since then she’s had several electrical problems that seem to have been fixed, the landlord has recently sent a builder to quote for work on the brick built porch, the guy said, the roofs leaking and it’s mouldy under the floor covering, and needs a lot more work than the landlord thought, he advised her to keep her young daughters out of the porch, can she get a independent inspection of the property by the council to get the landlord to do the work needed ? 

Remember that the landlord will need to have a current EICR as of the 1st April.

As for the rest of it, moving really does sound the best bet.

Why do people insist on living in manky, sub-standard properties and crossing their fingers that the landlord will suddenly completely change his spots?

Morrigan_2020

AdrianC said:

davidjames1701 said:

Hi, I’ve a friend who’s living in a rented semi with her two young daughters, I had my doubts about the safety of the property when she moved in, some dodgy wiring, and other faults, but she wouldn’t do anything about it as she was scared she’d loose her home, since then she’s had several electrical problems that seem to have been fixed, the landlord has recently sent a builder to quote for work on the brick built porch, the guy said, the roofs leaking and it’s mouldy under the floor covering, and needs a lot more work than the landlord thought, he advised her to keep her young daughters out of the porch, can she get a independent inspection of the property by the council to get the landlord to do the work needed ? 

Remember that the landlord will need to have a current EICR as of the 1st April.

As for the rest of it, moving really does sound the best bet.

Why do people insist on living in manky, sub-standard properties and crossing their fingers that the landlord will suddenly completely change his spots?

I don't think they do it because they love living there, I think its usually because grotty properties are cheaper, for obvious reasons, and money is tight. 

greatcrested

Read

Post 2: Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new tenant protection (2015) plus the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

When did her tenancy start? If after June 2020, then she should have been give an electrica inspection report (IECR).

If the tenancy is older, the LL has until April 2021 to provide the report.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-tenants-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

Josiahbarn

Yes, she can ask the council to inspect the property. If they find safety issues like mould, leaks, or faulty wiring, they can force the landlord to make repairs. Definitely keep the kids off the porch and document everything for the council.

noitsnotme

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81861200#Comment_81861200

This thread is 5 years old!

melvingoodman

Your friend can ask the local council or housing authority to inspect the property. They can identify hazards like leaks, mold, or unsafe structures and can require the landlord to fix them. It’s best to keep records, photos, and any builder reports to support the case.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871588#Comment_81871588

THe thread is from 2021 !

user1977

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81871729#Comment_81871729

The thread appears to be a spam magnet. Already reported.