by Degsy »
Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:35 pm
Hi
Irrespective of Building Regs or Planning issues, if you wish to rent out property (or part of) it has to comply with the Housing Act 2004. If you contact your Local Authority Environmental Health Department (Housing Standards) they should be able to either survey the property (under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System HHSRS) and tell you what is needed to comply or at least supply you with the relevant information. There are certain requirements for underground rooms such as natural light and ventilation which aren't covered by Building Regs. Fire separation and detection is also a issue and the standards are greater than building regs. With being a 3 storey you may require a more subtantial detection system other than mains wired smoke detectors to hallway and landing? Its difficult to comment accurately as each layout is taken on its own merit. i.e. I dont know if you are letting the remainder of the property or occupying it yourself? If the whole property is being let, it may well be worth contacting your local Fire Station and speaking to the fire safety section who will assist you in carrying out a fire risk assessment.
Also its worth bearing in mind that (although it may be wrong) different LA's will have different levels of enforcement. I used to be an Environmental Health Officer for a 'City' LA and part of an extremely pro-active housing standards dept, However, I am now a Building Control Officer for a rural LA and the HS section is extremely laxed, mainly due to staffing levels. So it all depends on where you are and as with Approved docs for Building Regs, The "Housing Standards" are taken from guidance.
Good luck