PCC SL IP1

PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCIL,SELECTIVE LICENSING INSPECTION PROGRAMME 1

Wayne Frost

Inspections Programme Manager

AN INTRODUCTION TO PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCIL SELECTIVE LICENSING SCHEME.WORKING IN DIRECT PARTNERSHIP WITH HOME SAFE.

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Agenda:

The Inspection scheduleThe Inspection teamHow to book inspectionsPreparing for your inspectionUnderstanding your report

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Agenda:

The Inspection scheduleThe Inspection teamHow to book inspectionsPreparing for your inspectionUnderstanding your reportAny Questions?

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Inspection schedule

Inspection Schedule:

The Selective licensing scheme is a five year scheme.There are two inspection programmes, each inspection programme with run for two years each. The two inspection programmes will be referred to as:Inspection Programme 1 (IP1) & Inspection Programme 2 (IP2)IP1 Will commence September 2024 and last until August 2026.

Inspection Team

There is a team of five HHSRS inspectors, all local to Peterborough, with the capacity to deliver the full inspection schedule within the scheme duration.

Inspection Team:

Home Safe Inspectors are instructed to collect information from your property by way of photographic evidence and answering the pre agreed questions that were set in direct partnership with Peterborough City Council. This is what creates your property report.Any identified issues will be graded as either "Advisory", "Potentially Enforceable" or "Imminent Danger"Your property inspection report will then be emailed to the licence holder within *24 hours.

*In most cases this will be sent the same day of inspection.

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(And any associated agent)

Inspection Team:

Home Safe Inspectors are under strict instructions not to discuss any remedial works advice either before, during or after inspections. The key to an efficient licensing scheme is that each of our teams carry out their own specific roles.All post inspection work is dealt with by our dedicated compliance management team.

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BOOKINGYOUR INSPECTION

Booking of inspections:

Home Safe must follow an access procedure approved by PCC.Home safe provide an online booking system where all of our inspectors calendars will be available to access online 24hrs a day, 7 days a week!In the first instance, your nominated point of contact will be sent an email inviting them to book their inspection at a time and date that suits them, this is done by clicking on the link provided in the email.

IMPORTANT

Your "Inspection point of contact" details must be current and kept updated where required.

Booking of inspections:

As previously mentioned your first inspection will take place between September 2024 and August 2026.You do not need to request an inspection, your property inspector will contact your nominated point of contact when we are ready to schedule your properties inspection.

PREPARING FORINSPECTION

Here are a few recommended steps to ensure your property inspection runs as smoothly as possible.

Communicate the followingwith your Tenant:

Confirm to your tenant the date and time slot booked.

Provide access to all rooms and meters during inspection.

Remind tenants to check the Inspector ID prior to entry.

(Consider sending a reminder closer to the time of inspection)

(All Home safe inspectors carry ID that can be verified by phone)

(Inspections can not be marked as complete if full access had not been possible)

Property check list:

At least one smoke alarm should be installed on every storey which is used as living accommodation.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing alarms. Generally speaking, smoke alarms should be fixed to the ceiling and centrally located in a circulation space, i.e. a hall or a landing.Battery powered alarms are accepted but a sealed unit would be a better option. Best practice would be to have either a hard wired or interlinked system in place.

SMOKE ALARMS

Property check list:

It is not a license condition to have a heat detector, buy it is seen as best practice to install heat detectors in any kitchen area. (Heat detectors are not to be used in place of smoke detectors)Where properties are of open plan there is potential for both smoke and heat detectors to be installed that are interlinked to all floors.This can be achieved with either a hard wired or wifi system.Escape windows may also be advised in some open plan settings.NOTE: Open plan refers to properties with no physical separation between the kitchen and the main escape route from the property.

HEAT ALARMS

Property check list:

Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance, this is with the exception of gas cookers. Typically, these appliances are powered by gas, oil, coal or wood, etc..For example, gas or oil boilers, or log-burning stoves.

Carbon monoxide alarmS

Property check list:

WINDOW RESTRICTORS

In order to prevent falls from height all first floor and above windows will require restrictors where the following applies:

The cill height is below 800mm to the floor where the window opens fully from the bottom.

Property check list:

The window on the right would require a window restrictor.The window on the left does not require a window restrictor .

Property check list:

Window restrictors are to be just that, door chains or screwing a window shut are not accepted as window restriction.

Property check list:

HEATING

The property is to be free from excessive cold or heat and capable of maintaining a temperature between 18°C to 21°C when the temperature outside is 1°C.Stand alone plug-in heaters are not a replacement for central heating and therefore not adequate alone as means of heating the property.

Property check list:

HOT & cold WATER

Hot & cold water to be available to all sinks, baths, showers & toilets.All associated pipework and fitting are free from leaks and all in good working order.

Property check list:

HAND RAILS:

Ensure handrails are present on all staircases.

Solid handrail

Rope handrail

Property check list:

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Ensure guarding is present on all staircases.

Property check list:

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Ensure a guarding height is a minimum of 900mm.A maximum of 100mm gaps present between spindles.

900mm

Property check list:

Ensure adequate extraction in both kitchen and bathrooms.

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Ensure all electrical sockets are working and securely attached.

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Ensure all light fittings and fixtures are working and securely attached.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR REPORT

PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT

Reports are sent via email to the licence holder within 24 hours of inspection, in most cases this is usually the same day as inspection. The report itself is attached in the email along with a link that allows you to send photographic evidence of any remedial work required for issues graded as "Potentially enforceable" .To the right are two extracts from the report email.

Understanding your report:

PRIORITY GRADING:Your report will highlight any issues identified during inspection.Issues identified are graded as one of the following:"Imminent Danger""Potentially Enforceable""Advisory"

ADVISORY:

You "DO NOT" need to contact us but we strongly advise you conduct remedial works in a timely manner to avoid the issue(s) becoming more serious.

POTENTIALLY ENFORCEABLE:

If there are no imminent danger issues "YOU NEED" to submit evidence of remediation within 21 days for any potentially enforceable issues.E.g. Photograph or invoice of completed works.All evidence must be submitted using the link provided in the email that accompanied your report.

IMMINENT DANGER:

You "DO NOT" need to contact us, PCC will be notified immediately and follow up on all reports containing "Imminent Danger" issues.We strongly advise you to conduct remedial works immediately.

As your property contains "Imminent Danger" PCC will deal with this report along with any "Potentially Enforceable" issues identified.

Understanding your report:

EXAMPLE PROPERTY REPORT

PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT

When you receive your report the cover page will contain all the information you require to respond to any issues highlighted in your report.This information will confirm what action is required should any "Advisory", "Potentially enforceable" or "Imminent danger" issues be documented within the report.

PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT

Your report will contain all the questions answered during your property inspection.The responses will show in green for a positive response where "Yes" has been answered, and red for a negative response where "No" has been answered.

PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT

Your report has a basic summary page, referred to as "flagged" items", this page details all issues identified during inspection.You will then need to read through your report in order to understand the priority grading assigned to the identified issue.

(Your summary page is only an overview)

PROPERTY INSPECTION REPORT

As stated you will need to read through your report for more details on the issues identified listed in the summary page.

Here you will see the question is answered in the negative with the Issue identified as"Missing end cap to guttering"The priority grading is"Advisory"

ADVISORY:

You "DO NOT" need to contact us but we strongly advise you conduct remedial works in a timely manner to avoid the issue(s) becoming more serious.

THANK you FOR listening!

ANY QUESTIONS