Report a housing hazard

It is important that people have a home which is safe, in good repair and has adequate amenities. We carry out risk assessments under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and can take enforcement action if necessary. If you rent your home, you can pursue help with resolving housing problems that result, or could result, in harm.

Landlords should however be aware that all gas appliances can emit carbon monoxide. We would encourage landlords to ensure working carbon monoxide alarms are installed in any room where there is one installed.

Landlords must also make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.

During the course of the tenancy the testing and ensuring that alarms are working is the responsibility of the tenant. If any faults are identified, or alarms are not working for any reason the tenant must liaise with their landlord who will ensure issues are addressed. Tenants are responsible for replacing batteries as required.

The requirements of the regulations are enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice.

Statement of Principles - The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Word doc, 142 KB)

Letting Agent Redress Scheme

The Redress Schemes (opens new window) for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc) (England) Order 2014.

It is now a legal requirement for all lettings agents and property managers in England to belong to an approved redress scheme.

The Ombudsman Schemes will deal with complaints about the working practices of letting and managing agents. They will offer independent investigation of complaints about hidden fees or poor service. Where a complaint is upheld, tenants and lease holders could receive compensation. Chichester District Council are the enforcing authority within the boundaries of the district and are responsible for ensuring all applicable agents have complied with the requirements and have joined an approved scheme.

If you are a letting agent or property manager, and do not join a government authorised consumer redress scheme you may be subject to a £5,000 fine from the local authority, if you continue to breach your legal requirement to join such a scheme.

If you are a landlord or tenant and want to know if your agent is a member of an approved scheme please refer to the Ombudsman Schemes website.

Contact us

For more information and advice email housingstandards@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 01243 534570.

You can contact the Housing Standards team by emailing housingstandards@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 01243 534570.

We have produced a leaflet which offers more detailed advice on managing damp and mould in your home:

Damp Leaflet Nov 2021 (PDF, 5 MB)

Damp and Mould 2nd response to Government - January 2023 (Word doc, 135 KB)

Damp and Mould initial response to Government - November 2022 (Word doc, 836 KB)

Report a problem with your home

If you have a problem with your home and you reside in the Chichester District, it can be reported to the council by completing a short online form. The Housing Standards Team will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Report a housing condition problem

If you are a council or housing association tenant, there is guidance on how to make a complaint by the Housing Ombudsman (opens new window).

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for private rented properties

Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let, or continue to let, properties covered by the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Regulations (MEES), if they have an EPC rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

Landlords letting accommodation must ensure they comply with electrical regulations. This means all electrical installations in their properties must be inspected and tested by a qualified and competent electrician, at least every five years.

Landlords are also required to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to the tenants, and to our council's Housing Standards team if requested. If a report shows that a repair or further investigative work is necessary, this work must be completed either within 28 days or within a shorter timeframe if specified. The tenant and local authority must be notified once this work has been completed.

The regulations are part of a government drive to improve the safety of all residential premises, especially in the private rented sector.

For more information about the regulations please visit Guide for landlords: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector (opens new window).

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2022 (opens new window) have been introduced to ensure premises let for residential purposes are safe for people to live in.

Statistically people are four times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there is no working smoke alarm. Over the next 10 years it is estimated that the new laws will result in 231 fewer deaths and 5,860 less injuries.

The law requires social and private sector landlords to ensure the following:

At least one smoke alarm to be installed on every floor of their properties. A carbon monoxide alarm to be fitted in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.

Penetrating and rising damp

Condensation is not the only cause of damp. Penetrating damp may be caused by leaking pipes or overflows: a roof leak or blocked gutters. Rising damp may also occur when a property has a defect, or lack of a damp-proof course.

If rising or penetrating damp is a problem in your home and you are renting, you must report this to your landlord or letting agency.

Please contact our Housing team for help and advice if:

the problem gets worse; or, you do not hear back from your landlord within the response time indicated when you reported it.

HHSRS guidance

You can read further information on guidance for landlords and property-related professionals (opens new window).

Assessment and enforcement

A local authority officer may complete a full inspection of a property and base their assessment on the likelihood of the occupants suffering harm, as a direct result of the condition of the property.

The local authority may need to take enforcement action against the landlord if the risk of serious harm is identified.

Please read the Environmental Health and Licensing Enforcement Policy.

Damp and mould

Condensation is caused by moisture released into the air from everyday tasks. This could be from cooking, showering, or drying clothes. There are steps you can take to prevent mould growth. You can reduce the moisture in the air by:

ventilating rooms, drying clothes outside, placing lids on saucepans, wiping down surfaces where moisture settles, making sure that air vents aren't blocked, keeping your home warm.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The HHSRS is a scoring system that is used by all local authorities to risk assess the effect of certain hazards on the health, safety and wellbeing of the occupants. The system allows local authorities to take action to remedy these hazards to ensure housing is safe to live in.

This system applies to all residential properties including private rented properties, council and housing association homes and owner-occupied housing, as well as empty properties. It does not apply to caravans, tents and houseboats.

The local authority has enforcement powers to ensure owners and landlords, including social landlords comply with the HHSRS.

List of health, safety and wellbeing hazards

There are a total of 29 health, safety and wellbeing hazards, which include:

Damp and mould, excess cold/heat. Pollutants i.e. asbestos, biocides, carbon monoxide, lead, radiation. Overcrowding, lack of space, entry by intruders, lighting and noise. Poor hygiene i.e. pests, food safety, drainage, water supply. Accidents i.e. falls, electric shocks, burns, fires. Collisions, entrapment, explosions.

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