South Ayrshire Council General Enquiries |
Environmental Health
Other Services - Housing
What involvement does Environmental Health have in housing?
Environmental Health carries out checks to ensure that members of the public have a minimum standard for living accommodation. This is particularly relevant for private renting. Houses have to be of a minimum standard and we use the following checklist to determine if accommodation falls Below Tolerable Standard (BTS).
For accommodation to be deemed suitable it must not fail any of the following requirements:
- It is structurally stable.
- It is free from serious disrepair.
- It is free from dampness prejudicial to the health of the occupants.
- It has adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation.
- It has an adequately piped supply of wholesome water.
- There are satisfactory facilities provided for the preparation and cooking of food including sink with a satisfactory water supply.
- It has a suitably located water closet for exclusive use of the occupants.
- It has for the exclusive use of the occupants a suitably located fixed bath or shower, a wash basin, each of which is provided with a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water.
- It has an effective system for the draining of foul water and surface water.
Environmental Health Officers also have a number of reporting responsibilities, including recommending Closing and Demolition Orders on sub-standard properties; and providing information for enquiries relating to property sales.
Complaints
The house I'm living in is in poor condition. What do I do?
Contact Environmental Health Division as an Officer will investigate and take the matter up with the owner. Such concerns might include penetrating dampness or condensation or simply the general standard of accommodation.