BUILT AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Question 1

proposed HMO what are some areas that might not comply with standards

Answer 1

There was only one bath – should be bath / shower per 5

only two toilets – should be one per 5

the kitchen was small and not big enough for 3 refrigerators, freezers and cooker with activity space

It was also lacking space for a range of requirements (should be 1 cubic metre storage for 5 with an extra o.2m for each over 5,

only 1 sink not 1 per 5,

not sufficient drawer space, should be 2m workspace for 3 with 60cm additional per person over,

one bedroom led onto another – should not have to go through another bedroom to reach sanitary facilities

there were not sufficient sockets in the rooms – should be 6

there was inadequate natural lighting in some rooms – should be 1/15th

some rooms were not big enough for 2 people.

The boiler could not be controlled from a communal area – was in a cupboard in a bedroom

Question 2

What would you need to look at during an HMO inspection?

Answer 2

Locality – safe access

Each bedroom / living room had fixed controllable heating appliance

CO alarm wherever there are gas appliances

Flues / chimneys cleaned

Whether 1/3oth natural ventilation – i.e. windows open

That there was electric lighting in each room

That lights on the stairway could be controlled at both points

Wholesome supply of water in kitchen – drinking water

Adequate piped supply of hot and cold water to whb / bath / shower

Number of refrigerators, freezers and cookers with activity space

Locks on bathroom doors

Suitable drainage

Each bedroom should have a bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers with relevant activity space

Any subdivision / adaptation

Gas / electric systems suitable and maintained / inspected

Secure locks on main door / ground floor windows

Question 3

What certificates would you want to see?

Answer 3

Gas (yearly inspections – 3 years worth) and

electric (PAT yearly, fixed installation every 5 years)

Question 4

Given that the proposal is for 15 people what would your answer be?

Answer 4

I would reject the application as it is not suitable for a HMO. I would also advise the applicant on specific issues where the application fails….for example converting a bedroom into another kitchen / the need for an extra bathroom

Question 5

What action could you take? in relation to a HMO

Answer 5

If believe is an illegal HMO have right of entry to inspect / require occupiers and those receiving rent to provide information

Can give temporary exemption order for 3 months

Otherwise Rent Suspension order or amenity notice

Ultimately prosecution

Question 6

A councillor contacts you to complain of dog fouling within an area. They want you to take immediate action to deal with the problem.

Answer 6

Get as much information as possible and visit the site to establish if there is a problem. Keep the councillor updated at all times. If there is a problem then can put up dog fouling signs, increase the number of bins, increase patrols by dog wardens in the area, issue warning letter and issue FPN where relevant. Can also get cleansing department to clear the area

Question 7

What legislation applies and what enforcement action can you take?

Answer 7

Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003. Initially dealt with by informal action, informing person that they should pick up dog faeces. If the person does not then can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (£40 if paid in 28 days, £60 thereafter to be paid in 7 days). If this is not complied with then can prosecute

Question 8

What are the benefits of private landlord registration?

Answer 8

Ensures landlords fit and proper

Provided a contact for LA’s / neighbours with complaints – landlord responsible for tenant behaviour

Helps LA remove disreputable landlords

Remove unfair competition

Question 9

Somebody contacts you to say that they want to rent out a property, how do you advise them?

Answer 9

I would advise them that they would need to register with the LA and that they could find further information and an application form online via the council website or specific website

Question 10

Are their any standards which should be met for rented ?

Answer 10

The Repairing standard

Question 11

When should these standards be met? Who is responsible?

Answer 11

At the start of the tenancy and throughout. Tenants should also be provided with information.
The landlord is responsible

Question 12

Who can you complain to? in relation to a housing issues

Answer 12

first tier tribunal ???

Question 13

Can you detail the Repairing Standard?

Answer 13

Property should be wind and watertight and reasonably fit for human habitation

Structure and exterior of property must be in a reasonable condition

Installations for providing gas, water, electricity, heating and hot water in good working order

Fixtures and fittings / appliances provided in good working order and safe

Any furnishings provided must be suitable for use

Property must have smoke detectors

Question 14

What would the advice be if there were over 3 tenants?

Answer 14

They would need to have a HMO licence (Housing (Scotland) Act 2006) unless met one of the exempt categories. Further information could be found on the council website, along with application form. T

Question 15

What could cause a swimming pool to become cloudy?

Answer 15

Too many bathers causing excess suspended materials, external contamination, inadequate disinfection or incorrect chemical usage

Question 16

You have been asked to carry out sampling at a swimming pool…what would you take and how would you carry out the sampling?

Answer 16

Microbiological – sterile plastic bottle with sodium Thiosulphate
Chemical – sterile plastic bottle
Bottle would be immersed 30 cm down into pool and then used to fill sample bottles. Ensure samples taken away from inlets / outlets. Samples kept at appropriate temperatures and taken to the lab

Question 17

What records would you expect to find?

Answer 17

Sampling records and any remediation carried out

Question 18

What legislation applies? to pools

Answer 18

No specific legislation, but can close a pool under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 / COSHH 2002.

Question 19

What guidance documents could you look at? relating to pools

Answer 19

Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group – swimming pool water treatments and quality standards

Bsi – Management of public swimming pools: code of practice

HSE Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools

National pool plant operators manual – institute of sport and recreational management

Question 20

What disinfectants are there? relating to pools

Answer 20

Chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite / Calcium Hypochlorite)….UV / Ozone but not for larger pools

Question 21

What action would you take? where a pool has a issues

Answer 21

Would speak to manager of pool and advise them of sample results. Given the high levels of Pseudomonas and fact there was unacceptable levels of non-faecal coliforms I would expect them to close the pool and spa and investigate the source.

Close Pool

Maintain disinfectant levels

Vacuum / sweep pool, clean surrounds and all equipment

Filter using continuous coagulation for 6 turnover cycles

Backwash filter

Check final disinfectant and pH levels

Resample to ensure remedied

Afterwards encourage pre swim showers and ensure high levels of cleanliness are maintained

Question 22

What are Housing Renewal Areas, why are they made and what is the process?

Answer 22

Made under section 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Part of LA area marked as needing improvement to quality / condition of housing – substandard / affecting amenity of area. To bring up to a reasonable state of repair.

LA draws up plan and puts map / order out for consultation. Plan details work needed and to which houses. If your property is in area LA will write to you and tell you how to access plans and what help it will give. Ministers then approve, LA makes a designation order.

Question 23

How long is the consultation period? Housing Renewal Areas

Answer 23

Minimum 3 months before submitted to ministers

Question 24

What actions can you take with houses within HRA’s?

Answer 24

Can serve a work notice under Sec 30 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 – to premises substandard

Can serve a demolition notice under sec 33 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

Can serve a closing order under Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

Question 25

What legislation do Closing orders come under?

Answer 25

Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

Question 26

To what standard should properties comply?

Answer 26

Tolerable Standard

Question 27

What is a Protimeter?

Answer 27

Machine used to measure dampness / moisture levels in properties

Question 28

What can you do about dangerous buildings?

Answer 28

Could serve a demolition order or closing order under Housing (Scotland) Act 1987

Most likely - LA carry out works to prevent access to building / nearby areas. LA can carry out works to make building safe and then recover costs.

LA would then consider serving a Dangerous Building notice under sec 29/30 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 to carry out works to remove any remaining danger. If no danger remains after the LA’s actions then no notice needed.

Prior to serving the notice, would issue prior notification that intend to issue notice – 21 days before. If they do not come up with a suitable plan then a notice is served specifying dates and work needed – can then do in default.

LA also have powers to evacuate the building

Question 29

What is Dry Rot and what does it look like?

Answer 29

Dry Rot is a wood destroying fungus which can affect beams and timbers, causing them to crumble. Spores can travel quickly, spreading over large distances and affect masonry / plaster as well as wood.

They appear as a matted white growth tinged with yellow / lilac or pancake shaped growth with a russet colour in the middle

Question 30

A takeaway has just opened underneath a flat and their have been odour complaints.

How would you deal with this and how would you investigate?

Answer 30

Initially speak to complainant and get as much detail as possible (when, where, what, how often etc). Advise complainant to keep diary

Visit premises when worst….establish if there is a smell and where it is coming from….consider how detectable, intensity, unpleasantness, character, duration, frequency etc.). If consider to be a nuisance serve an abatement notice.

Would put a CO monitor in apartment if premises has gas cooking equipment

Alternatively can visit takeaway first to establish if there are any obvious issues that need addressed. Could also consider taking action under food / Health and Safety Legislation if there are any issues. Also need to consider planning permission….may have conditions relating to the type of extraction system….if not pass to planning

Question 31

What would be involved in the extraction system?

Answer 31

Extraction canopy above all cooking areas, with sufficient air flow / extraction to remove odours
Grease filter

Odour control units (activated charcoal filters / air dilution / neutralisation

Ducting to point of discharge, situated to minimise impact on neighbours, usually 1m above property

Would also expect regular cleaning and maintenance

Question 32

What action can you take? in relation to A takeaway has just opened underneath a flat and their have been odour complaints.

Answer 32

Can serve an Abatement notice under section 80 of EPA

If not complied with FPN (£150 / £400) or can prosecute

Can do works in default

If not a nuisance / prejudicial to health than can just speak to them informally

Question 33

Somebody phones you saying that they have heard scuttling noises in the loft.
What advice would you give them?

Answer 33

Would first of all try to establish what is causing the noise.

Has anyone been up into the loft to have a look – i.e. any sightings / droppings etc. that might indicate what it is

Has anyone had a look from outside the buildings – any access points for squirrels / smear marks from rodents / birds droppings

What times they are hearing the noises - If it is squirrels the noises are most likely to be first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Rats / mice / birds etc

How long has the problem being going on

Is it in one area or throughout the loft

Have neighbours reported any problems

Any problems elsewhere in property – rats / mice more likely to travel through wall cavities and seek food in kitchens etc

Question 34

It turns out to be mice, what would you do?

Answer 34

pest control department who will be able to provide further advice and treat the problem.
During the visit the officer would carry out an inspection of the premises to assess the extent of the problem and try to establish any access points.

The officer would then discuss the problem with the owner / tenant. The tenant / owner would be responsible for cleaning, removing food / water sources and proofing the property to prevent pest access. Cleaning / tidying needs done to remove nesting material and places to hide but also to allow droppings etc. to be more easily seen. Food / water needs removed /

Alternatively, advise that can seek help of private contractor or can deal with by themselves if feel that they can. In such case they could buy traps / poison from hardware shops etc. but would need to ensure were used in a safe manner. Also would need to ensure food sources etc were removed and any proofing carried out.

Question 35

What signs would you look for if mice were present?

Answer 35

Live mice
Dead mice
Chewed boxes etc.
Accumulations of insulation etc. – nesting materials
Smells - urine
Droppings
Smear marks
Hairs
Excitement of pets
Access points
Etc etc.

Question 36

The neighbours say they do not have mice but have seen a rat….what would you look for?

Answer 36

same as for mice

Live mice
Dead mice
Chewed boxes etc.
Accumulations of insulation etc. – nesting materials
Smells - urine
Droppings
Smear marks
Hairs
Excitement of pets
Access points
Etc etc.

Question 37

What if it was bats?

Answer 37

Bats are a protected species so cannot do anything to them. Would need to contact Scottish Natural Heritage for further help and advice