Public Health - Housing
There are approximately 45,000
dwellings in South Staffordshire, of which 37,000 are in private
ownership.
House condition surveys
It is the duty of the Council to
carry out periodic surveys to ascertain the condition of the
private sector housing stock. The information from such surveys
helps the Council to formulate policy, consider funding issues and
determine the appropriate action to be taken regarding particular
properties or groups of properties which do not meet current
housing standards.
A house conditions survey was
carried out on behalf of the Council in 2006 by the Building
Research Establishment, which highlighted the following.
|
Number |
Percentage |
| Total Private Sector Dwellings |
36945 |
|
|
Non Decent Homes
Private sector non decent homes as a percentage of private
sector dwellings
|
10166 |
28% |
|
Thermal Comfort
Private sector inadequate thermal comfort as a percentage of all
private sector dwellings
|
8450 |
23% |
|
Unfit
Private sector unfitness as a percentage of all private
dwellings
|
871 |
2% |
|
Disrepair
Private sector disrepair as a percentage of all private sector
dwellings
|
2045
|
6% |
|
Non Modern Facilities
Private sector dwellings with non modern facilities as a
percentage of all private sector dwellings
|
854 |
2% |
|
Vulnerable Occupants
Private sector vulnerable households as a percentage of all
private sector dwellings
|
5695 |
15% |
|
Vulnerable Non Decent
Private sector vulnerable households in non decent dwellings as
a percentage of all private sector dwellings
|
1738 |
5% |
|
Vulnerable Decent
Private sector households in decent dwellings as a percentage of
all private sector vulnerable households
|
3957 |
69% |
|
Energy Rating (SAP) less than 30
Private sector dwellings with a SAP of less than 30 as a
percentage of all private sector dwellings
|
3303 |
9% |
|
Fuel Poverty
Private sector fuel poverty as a percentage of all private
sector dwellings
|
2449 |
8% |
As a result of this survey, the
Council revised it's
Housing Assistance Policy and committed £250,000 per year into
discretionary
decent homes
grants.
Decent Homes Standard
This is set out in a number of documents, the
principally “A decent Home – The definition and guidance for
Implementation” ODPM - February 2004. In determining whether a home
is decent four main criteria must be met:-
(1) It meets the current
statutory minimum standard for housing.
The current statutory minimum standard
is that the house has no Category 1 hazards under the Housing
Health and Safety Ratings system. Such hazards are likely to have a
serious impact on the health and safety of occupants.
(2) It is in a reasonable
state of repair.
This is satisfied unless: either one or more key building
components are old and because of condition need replacing or major
repair. (Key building components are: exterior walls, roofs,
windows/doors, chimneys, C/H boilers, gas fires, storage heaters
and electrics), or:
two or more other building components
are old and because of their condition need replacing or major
repair. Other building components would be guttering, plastering
etc. These have less immediate impact so their combined effect is
considered.
(3) It has reasonable modern
facilities and services.
A dwelling does not meet this criteria
if it lacks 3 or more of:
- Kitchen less than 20 years old
- Kitchen with adequate space and
layout
- Bathroom less than 30 years old
- Appropriately located bathroom and
WC
- Appropriate noise insulation
- Adequate size and layout of common
entrance areas for blocks of flats
(4) It provides a reasonable
degree of thermal comfort.
A dwelling is required to have both
efficient heating and effective insulation. Properties with gas or
oil fired heating must have cavity wall insulation and at least
50mm of loft insulation. Properties with electric or LPG heating
must have cavity wall insulation and at least 200mm of loft
insulation.
Vulnerable Households
A vulnerable
household is defined as being in receipt of one of the following
principal means-tested or disability related benefits:
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Income Based Job-Seekers
Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement
Benefit
- War Disablement Pension
- Pension Credit (Guaranteed and
Savings)
- Working Tax Credit which includes a
Disability Element
- Child Tax Credit
For the definition of vulnerable, Tax Credits
are limited to an income of less than £15,050.
For more information please contact the Council's
Housing Strategy and Regeneration Team: on 01902
(696215)
Housing Strategy and Regeneration Team
Planning and Strategic Services
South Staffordshire Council
Council Offices
Codsall
South Staffordshire
WV8 1PX
There are no associated costs for requesting information on
housing repairs.
Public Health - Housing
Telephone: (01902) 696215/696214
Email: housingstrategy@sstaffs.gov.uk