Fitness for Human Habitation Act

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The Act came into force on 20 March 2019. It is designed to ensure that all rented accommodation is fit for human habitation and to strengthen tenants' means of redress against the minority of landlords who do not fulfil their legal obligations to keep their properties safe

In broad terms, the FFHH will make an impact on the property industry due to cutting out rogue landlords and/or agents. It will also provide a much better starting point for rectifying issues so that Tenants feel that at least something is being done to address concerns.

However, unlike the HHSRS (Housing, Health & Safety rating system) which highlights 29 hazard risks, FFHH does not require a detailed risk assessment to be carried out by a local authority. It does however require a landlord or agent to ensure that a property is reasonably suitable for occupation in respect of 9 matters:

• Repair (building neglect etc)
• Stability (of the building itself)
• Freedom from damp (Serious issues with damp)
• Internal arrangement (layout of the interior – whether unsafe)
• Natural lighting (Right to light)
• Ventilation (not enough ventilation)
• Water supply (problems with either hot or cold water supply)
• Drainage and sanitary issues (with lavatories etc)
• Facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and disposal of waste water (washing up etc.)

The main point is to act with due diligence. Most of the 29 hazards are common sense or fall under compliance and/or regulation so any good estate agent (property manager) will be aware of these.

FFHH applies at the time a tenancy is created and the property must remain in the same state throughout the tenancy.

For more advice on FFHH download the act:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018/guide-for-landlords-homes-fitness-for-human-habitation-act-2018

Press Contact:

Miss. Claire White
W. Why Media
E. claire@whymedia.com

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