Contacting Environmental Health: A Guide for Tenants

At SilverOak Solicitors, we understand how stressful it can be to live in a property with unresolved repair issues. Fortunately, tenants have the right to a safe and healthy living environment. This guide explains how the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) can help, how local authorities can intervene, and what steps you can take to address unsafe living conditions.

What Is the HHSRS?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a tool used by local authorities to assess the safety of residential properties. It identifies hazards that could pose a risk to the health or safety of tenants. Landlords are legally required to maintain properties in a condition that meets safety standards, and the HHSRS provides a framework for enforcing this.

What Are Housing Hazards?

A hazard refers to any issue within a property that could endanger physical or mental health. Examples include:

• Fire Risks: Faulty electrical systems or lack of fire alarms.
• Damp and Mould: Causes respiratory problems and structural damage.
• Temperature Extremes: Inadequate heating or insulation.
• Asbestos or Hazardous Gases: Such as carbon monoxide from malfunctioning boilers.
• Accident Risks: Tripping hazards, electrical dangers, or structural collapse.

These hazards are classified as either Category 1 (most severe) or Category 2 (less severe). Local authorities are required to act on Category 1 hazards, while action on Category 2 hazards is discretionary.

When Should You Contact Environmental Health?

If your landlord has failed to address repair issues that pose a health or safety risk, you can contact your local authority’s Environmental Health department.

Examples of situations that warrant action include:

• Persistent damp or mould despite landlord notification.
• Broken locks compromising security.
• Unsafe communal areas in shared buildings.

Local authorities are obligated to investigate complaints and conduct property inspections under the HHSRS if necessary.

How Does an Inspection Work?

During an inspection, an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will visit your property to identify hazards. If you live in a high-rise building or shared accommodation, the inspection may include communal areas and external features like cladding. The officer will assess the severity of hazards and determine whether emergency action is needed.

If a hazard is identified, the local authority can issue notices to the landlord requiring immediate or scheduled repairs. These notices include:

• Improvement Notices: Mandating specific repairs within a set timeframe.
• Prohibition Orders: Restricting the use of unsafe parts of a property.
• Emergency Measures: Taking urgent action to eliminate risks.

What If Your Landlord Refuses to Cooperate?

If a landlord fails to comply with notices, the local authority may prosecute them. Penalties can include fines, a banning order (preventing the landlord from renting properties), or the authority completing repairs and recovering costs from the landlord.

In extreme cases, tenants may also apply for a Rent Repayment Order through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). This allows tenants to recover up to 12 months of rent if the landlord has committed a housing offence.

Can You Remain Anonymous?

If you fear retaliation from your landlord, you can request that your local authority keeps your complaint confidential. Landlords cannot deny access to Environmental Health Officers during an inspection, doing so is a criminal offence.

Eviction Risks and Tenant Rights

It’s important to be aware that some landlords may attempt to evict tenants rather than address repair issues. Before contacting your local authority, consider your housing status and whether you are at risk of eviction. Private tenants, in particular, should seek advice about their rights to avoid retaliatory evictions.

Housing Disrepair Compensation Claims

Housing disrepair claims allow tenants to hold their landlords accountable for failing to maintain a property in a safe and habitable condition. If issues like damp, mould, faulty heating, broken windows, or unsafe electrics have been reported to your landlord but remain unresolved, you may have grounds for a claim.

Under UK law, landlords are legally obligated to address disrepair and maintain essential services like water, electricity, and structural integrity. A successful housing disrepair claim can help tenants secure necessary repairs, recover financial losses (such as increased energy costs or damaged belongings), and potentially claim compensation for any health problems or inconvenience caused.

How SilverOak Solicitors Can Help

If you’re living in unsafe housing and your landlord refuses to act, SilverOak Solicitors can provide expert legal support on a Risk Free, No Win No Fee basis. We can guide you through the process of contacting Environmental Health, understanding your rights, and pursuing compensation where appropriate.

Contact us today for personalised advice and assistance. Call 020 8578 7778 or complete our online enquiry form to get started. Don’t let housing disrepair hazards compromise your safety and let our solicitors help you secure the compensation you deserve.