Upkeep Training Course HHSRS 2: The HHSRS in Practice

Aims:

This training course is designed for people who want to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills to apply the HHSRS in practice. The course includes self-study with an element of going out to assess properties, training at Upkeep and an exam.

Successful completion of this day leads to a Certificate to confirm that Candidates have successfully demonstrated their competence in assessing properties for the HHSRS.

Designed for:

This course is designed for people who have already successfully completed the course HHSRS 1: Assessing Properties for the HHSRS, or people who are already assessing properties for the HHSRS. Delegates should have a sound knowledge of construction.

Key elements:

1. Self Study Programme

2. Training course - 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

3. Practical Assessment, leading to Certificate.

1. Self-study Programme

Delegates will be given materials for self study. Delegates will be asked carry out inspections of two dwellings, completing a report covering the condition, a hazard analysis, and then produce a hazard rating with full justifications for a minimum of 4 hazards. Guidance will be given on how the report should be set out. Completed reports must be sent in to Upkeep (electronically or hard copy) within a stated time period before the training date to allow for marking.

2. Training at Upkeep - 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

• A detailed look at applying the HHSRS to four key hazards: cold, falls
on steps and stairs, entry by intruders and fire.
• Detailed review of the Government’s worked examples and practical
case studies.
• How the decisions of the Residential Property Tribunal are influencing
the application of the system.
• How different organisations are applying the HHSRS to determine the
impact of their stock on their tenants.
• An opportunity to hear the general experiences of delegates with the
inspection and hazard rating of a chosen dwelling.
• Four delegates will be asked to present their assessments.

3. Practical Assessment leading to Certificate

A two-and-a-half-hour exam, including practical work.

Successful completion of this training programme and exam will lead to a Certificate of Competence in Assessing Properties for the HHSRS.

Booking:

To book your training places, please complete a booking form and then fax or post it across to us. You can get open a pdf version of our booking form here:

Booking Form in pdf format

Full details of how to book your places are on our booking page here: Booking Info

Background

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) came into force in April 2006 and is the current means by which housing conditions are assessed and hazardous conditions are identified. The HHSRS replaces the fitness standard as the statutory element of the Decent Homes Standard. To be decent a dwelling should be free of Category One Hazards. We are finding that many organisations are still not familiar with this new means for assessing dwellings.

The HHSRS is based on risk management, with properties being assessed against a list of 29 potential hazards. Unlike the previous fitness standard, which was focused on property condition and provision of amenities, this focuses on deficiencies in the design and structure and on the health and safety of the occupants. The recent results from the House Condition Survey data show that whilst only 4% of properties failed the

The Housing Corporation has said it does not expect housing providers to undertake full HHSRS surveys of their properties, but that housing providers and front line staff should be aware of all 29 hazards identified under the HHSRS and should ensure that staff are able to identify them and to respond to tenants queries about them. Staff working for enforcement sections need to understand the how to use the HHSRS in order to take enforcement action under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004.