Fitness for human habitation
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023, published by the Welsh Government in October 2023, states in relation to fitness for human habitation (FFHH) requirements:
Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, landlords (private and social sectors) must ensure that the dwelling is FFHH on the date of occupation by tenant/s, and throughout the term of the occupation contract (tenancy agreement). Landlords are also required to keep the dwelling in good repair, including the structure and exterior of the dwelling as well as the service installations. The FFHH requirements under the 2016 Act and associated regulations include reference to the 29 prescribed hazards (matters and circumstances) set out in Schedule 1 of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Wales) Regulations 2006. The FFHH obligation provides a remedy for contract holders to address concerns regarding the quality of their accommodation that fall outside the landlord’s repairing obligations. It is for the courts to determine whether a dwelling is FFHH. The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2021 may result in case law that modifies the application of the HHSRS. Landlords should ensure their interpretation of the application of the HHSRS is up to date with any such case law.
In addition to the Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), landlords will be required to attain to specific requirements for the installation of smoke alarms,carbon monoxide detectors and electrical safety testing for the purposes of satisfying FFHH obligations.
See also: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carbon monoxide detector.
- Converting commercial offices to residential accommodation.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrical safety in the private rented sector.
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
- House in multiple occupation.
- Landlord.
- Landlord and Tenant Act.
- Property disrepair and landlord liabilities.
- Schedule of condition of property.
- Tenant.
Featured articles and news
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.