The Housing Act 2004

The Housing Act 2004 has introduced a new way in which Local Authorities assess housing conditions. It uses a risk assessment approach called the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

The aim is to provide a system to enable risks from hazards to health and safety to be removed or minimised.

The Housing Act 2004 contains a package of enforcement powers to deal with poor housing conditions.

These include:

• Improvement notices
• Prohibition orders
• Hazard awareness notices
• Emergency remedial action or emergency prohibition orders
• Demolition orders
• Clearance areas

We will inspect privately rented accommodation, on request, if you are concerned about whether or not it complies with legal standards.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's)

The Housing Act 2004, introduced a new definition of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's).

The new definition is complex, and it is compulsory for larger, higher risk HMO's to be licensed by the Local Authority.

Is my property an HMO?

It will be an HMO if it is one of the following:

• A shared house lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities.
• A house in bedsits lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities.
• An individual flat lived in by people who belong to more than one family and who share one or more facilities.
• A building of self-contained flats that do not meet 1991 Building Regulations Standards.

Some of these HMO's must have a licence
Which ones?

An HMO must have a licence if all three of the following apply:

• It is a HMO (see definition above) and
• It is three storeys or more (includes basements) and
• It is occupied by five or more people.

Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO's)

For further useful information and to download the documents:

Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation in England:

i) A guide for landlords and managers

ii) A guide for tenants

Click on the attached link to the Department of Communities and Local Government website.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1509399

From the 6th April 2006,it was a legal requirement that larger, higher risk. HMO's were licensed.

Failure to apply for a licence could result in a fine of up to £20,000.

To apply for a licence, you will need to complete an application form. These are available with guidance notes from:

Environmental Health Services Telephone: 01743 281000
The Guildhall    e-mail: environmental.health@shrewsbury.gov.uk
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury.
SY3 8HQ

A register of all licensed HMOs located within Shrewsbury and Atcham is available for viewing on request, at all reasonable times, at

Environmental Health Services
The Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ

Tel: 01743 281000

e-mail: environmental.health@shrewsbury.gov.uk

This department has produced the following guidance notes:

• Amenity Standards in HMOs
   
  
• Fire Precautions in Dwellings
  
  
• The HMO Management Regulations - A Landlords Guide

In addition, Environmental Health Officers will investigate all complaints of statutory nuisance arising or affecting domestic premises i.e.

• Accumulations of refuse
• Nuisance from the keeping of animals
• Nuisance from vacant, insecure, and derelict properties
• Odour nuisance 
• Filthy and verminous premises

Contact:
Environmental Health Services
The Guildhall
Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ

Tel: 01743 281000

e-mail: environmental.health@shrewsbury.gov.uk