Peterborough City Council announced last month that, during more than 7,000 inspections of licensed properties under its Selective Licensing scheme, it found potentially enforceable hazards in more than two-thirds (66%) of homes.
892 properties were referred to the council’s Housing Standards team for direct enforcement action due to poor property conditions, while 200 formal enforcement notices to tackle major issues of disrepair have been served since the Selective Licensing scheme launched in the area in March 2024.
The first inspection programme, which is nearly complete, identified more than 43,000 hazards and compliance issues in properties in Peterborough, around 13,000 of which presented a serious risk to tenants’ health or safety. The proactive programme isn’t about penalising landlords, but identifying potential hazards which may otherwise go unnoticed or unreported.
With the second round of inspections now set to begin, inspectors will return to identify any new or recurring hazards, as well as to confirm continued compliance with property standards and licence conditions.
What happens if a problem is identified in your property
If hazards are identified, landlords are given clear instructions setting out the work required and appropriate timescales for completing it. This is followed up with additional checks to ensure that the required changes have been made.
What hazards should you look out for?
The list of enforceable hazards is a long one, but in the Peterborough inspections those most commonly identified included damp and mould, fire safety risks, missing window restrictors and electrical concerns.
Damp and mould can be hard to spot, given it can develop in hard-to-see places, but tell-tale signs can include peeling wallpaper or paint, a musty smell, as well as more visible signs of water penetration or mould spores.
Fire safety is also a crucial landlord responsibility, particularly in large HMOs where fire alarms and extinguishers must be provided in addition to the smoke alarms required on each storey of any rental property. Gas safety checks must be completed every year, while an electrical safety check must be carried out every five.
Awaab’s Law
Under Awaab’s Law, rules on dealing with hazards in the home will become even tighter once it comes into force for the private rented sector. Currently applicable in the social sector and under consultation for the PRS, it provides strict guidelines for the prompt fixing of emergency and other hazards.
While tenants are encouraged to report hazards some may not, often worried that they might get the blame. Taking a proactive approach to auditing and monitoring your property for hazards not only ensures you comply with the second round of selective licensing inspections but also improves the safety and comfort of your tenants and ultimately your reputation as a landlord.
We Can Help
At Progressive Lets, we are experts in the rental market in the Peterborough area and help landlords find and manage properties within a 50-mile radius. We are also an HMO specialist. Get in touch to find out more.
