Local authority powers for dealing with property conditions
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Introduction
If a local authority is satisfied that they need take action due to a breach of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), they have a number of different options at their disposal, including compelling the landlord to improve the property via an improvement notice or doing the work themselves where emergency remedial action is required. The options available will vary depending on the severity of the hazards.
This guidance is designed to provide a short summary of the options available, what they mean and when they may be used.
Hazard awareness notices
The most commonly used option is the hazard awareness notice. This is an advisory notice alerting the owner of the property to the existence of category 1 and 2 hazards in the property. It cannot compel you to do the recommended works to the property.