Housing Safety Regulations Belfast

The Housing Health Safety Rating System (HHSRS) identifies 29 different areas of risk in the home

The National Landlords Association says only one in ten of its members have a thorough understanding of the new system, which replaces the nine point housing 'Fitness Standard' currently in place.

Nearly half of landlords are 'aware of' the government's new rules, while 38 per cent have no knowledge of them at all.

Under the existing requirements, landlords have a duty to ensure a property should be structurally stable, free from dampness, and have satisfactory cooking and bathing facilities among other provisions.

The more complex new 'hazard profiles' are divided under four headings: physiological requirements, psychological requirements, protection against infection and protection against accidents.

Properties are then given a score for each of the hazards including the presence of carbon monoxide, lead and radiation, the lighting and noise levels in the property, and protection against falls, electric shocks and burns.

David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association said: "Many of the requirements of the new system do make sense. Nobody would query the need for suitable heating and ventilation, a supply of piped water, drainage, safe electrical installations and lighting. But these matters are mostly already adequately covered by the current fitness tests."

He added: "One can only applaud initiatives to improve the quality of the UK housing stock, both rental and owner occupied, but the sheer weight and complexity of the rules will undoubtedly scare the living daylights out of many landlords.

"And what about owner-occupiers? Surely what's good for the goose is good for the gander. . . would you know if your home is at risk from biocides or volatile organic compounds?"

The research shows that landlords are equally unfamiliar with other aspects of the Housing Act 2004, with over a quarter having no knowledge of the new definition of houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

Mr Salusbury said: "It is essential that landlords receive good information on these vital subjects, which are due to be implemented fairly soon."

Sixty-two per cent of landlords want more information on the new HHSRS, 44 per cent want more information and HMO definitions, and 41 per cent want to know more about HMO licensing.

Existing housing fitness standard
A dwelling should be: