Housing Act 2004 Guidance

The 29 Hazards 1. Damp & Mould GrowthThreats to mental & physicalwellbeing from living withdampness, mould & fungal growthsand dust mites.Most Vulnerable:14 years or less

________________________2. Excess ColdThreats to health from exposure tosub-optimal indoor temperatures.Most Vulnerable:65 years plus________________________3. Excess HeatCaused by excessively high indoortemperatures.Most Vulnerable:65 years plus________________________4. Asbestos & MMFCaused by exposure to asbestosand manufactured mineral fibres(MMF).Most Vulnerable:No specific group

________________________5. BiocidesThreats to health from thosechemicals used to treat mouldgrowth and timber in dwellings.Most Vulnerable:No specific group

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6. Carbon Monoxide & FuelCombustion ProductsHazards due to high levels of CO,NO2, SO2 & smoke in theatmosphere.Most Vulnerable:For CO - 65 years plus, forNO2, SO2 & smoke – nospecific group

________________________7. LeadThreats to health from the ingestionof lead.Most Vulnerable:Under 3 years________________________8. RadiationThreats to health from radon gas,airborne, or dissolved in water.E.g., leakage from microwavesmight be considered.Most Vulnerable:People aged 60-64 who have hada lifetime exposure to radon________________________9. Uncombusted Fuel GasThe threat of asphyxiation due tofuel gas escaping into theatmosphere within a dwelling.Most Vulnerable:No specific group________________________10. Volatile OrganicCompoundsVOC’s are diverse group of organicchemicals which includesformaldehyde that are gaseous atroom temperature, and are found ina variety of materials within thehome.Most Vulnerable:No specific group________________________11. Crowding and SpaceHealth hazards linked to a lack ofliving space for sleeping and anormal family/household life.Most Vulnerable:No specific group________________________

12. Entry by IntrudersProblems keeping a dwelling secureagainst unauthorised entry, and themaintenance of defensible space.Most Vulnerable:No specific group________________________13. LightingThreats to physical and mentalhealth linked to inadequate naturaland/or artificial light. It includes thepsychological effect associated withthe view from the dwelling throughglazing.Most Vulnerable:No specific group

________________________14. NoiseThreats to physical and mentalhealth caused by noise exposureinside the dwelling or within itscartilage.Most Vulnerable:No specific group________________________15. Domestic Hygiene,Pests & RefuseHealth hazards due to poordesign, layout and construction tothe point where the dwellingcannot readily be kept clean andhygienic; access into andharbourage within dwelling forpests; inadequate and unhygienicprovision for storing and disposalof household waste.Most Vulnerable:No specific group

________________________ 16. Food SafetyThreats of infection due toinadequate facilities for thestorage, preparation andcooking of food.Most Vulnerable:No specific group

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17. PersonalHygiene, Sanitation& DrainageThreats of infection andthreats to mental healthassociated with personalhygiene, including personalwashing and clotheswashing facilities, sanitationand drainage.Most Vulnerable:Under 5 years___________________18. Water Supply forDomestic PurposesThe quality and adequacy ofthe water supply for drinkingand for domestic purposessuch as cooking, washing,cleaning and sanitation.Most Vulnerable:No specific group___________________19. FallsAssociated withBaths etc.Falls associated with a bath,shower or similar facility.Most Vulnerable:60 years plus___________________20. Falls on theLevelFalls on any level surfacesuch as floors, yards andpaths. It also includes fallsassociated with trip steps,thresholds or ramps, wherethe change in level is lessthan 300mm.Most Vulnerable:60 years plus___________________21. Falls Associatedwith Stairs andStepsFalls associated with stairs,steps and ramps where thechange in level is greater than300mm. It includes falls onstairs or internal ramps withinthe dwelling, internal commonstairs or ramps within abuilding, access to the

dwelling and to sharedfacilities or means of escapein case of fire. It also includesfalls over stair, step or rampguarding (balustrading).Most Vulnerable:60 years plus___________________22. Falls betweenLevelsFalls from one level toanother, inside or outside adwelling, where the differencein levels is more than 300mm.For example, falls out ofwindows, falls from balconiesor landings, falls fromaccessible roofs, intobasement wells, and overgarden retaining walls.Most Vulnerable:Under 5 years___________________23. ElectricalHazardsHazards from electric shockor electricity burns, includingfrom lightning strikes.Most Vulnerable:Under 5 years___________________24. FireThreats from uncontrolledfire and smoke. It includesinjuries from clothingcatching alight, whichappears to be common whenpeople attempt to put out afire. It does not includeclothing catching alight froma controlled fire by reachingacross a gas flame or anopen fire used for spaceheating.Most Vulnerable:60 years plus___________________25. Hot Surfaces &MaterialsBurns or injuries caused bycontact with a hot flame orfire, and contact with hotobjects or hot non-waterbased liquids, and scalds –injuries caused by contactwith hot liquids andvapours. It includes burns

caused by clothing catchingalight from a controlled fireor flame.Most Vulnerable:Under 5 years___________________26. Collision &EntrapmentThis includes risks of physicalinjury from: Trapping bodyparts in architectural features,e.g. trapping limbs or fingersin doors / windows; Collidingwith objects e.g. glazing,windows, doors, low ceilingsand walls.Most Vulnerable:Under 5 years___________________27. ExplosionsThreat from the blast of anexplosion, from debrisgenerated by the blast, andfrom the partial or totalcollapse of a building as theresult of an explosion.Most Vulnerable:No specific group

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28. Position &Operability ofAmenitiesThreats of physical strainassociated with functionalspace and other features atdwellings.Most Vulnerable:60 years plus___________________________

29. StructuralCollapse & FallingElementsThe threat of the dwellingcollapsing, or a part of thefabric falling because ofinadequate fixing ordisrepair, or as a result ofadverse weatherconditions. Structuralfailure may occur internallyor externally.Most Vulnerable:No specific group__________________

A Summary of Landlord Responsibilities

• Maintain exterior of dwelling and all structural elements• Maintain interior facilities that are part of the dwelling• Provide all equipment necessary to supply the utilities safely and correctly• Ensure all bathroom facilities are correctly installed and properly maintained• Maintain all drains, waste pipes, rainwater goods, inlet gullies and inspection chambers• Provide a hygienic kitchen environment including sinks, draining boards, worktops, cooking facilities, cupboards, shelves, and food storage facilities• Maintain air bricks, trickle vents, opening lights to windows and mechanical and non-mechanical ventilation equipment• Regularly maintain central heating and hot water systems6409.