Stroma Certification Explore the Private Rented...

© Stroma Certification 2015 | Version 1.0 © Stroma Certification 2016 | Version 1.0 |

Part of our 3 day Ecobuild 2016 CPD Programme

Stroma Certification Explore the Private Rented Sector



Welcome

RHI

Welcome to Stroma’s CPD session on the Private Rented Sector During this presentation we will cover: 1.  The PRS Market 2.  An overview of Legionella Risk Assessments 3.  An overview of Inventories 4.  Tracker and Tracker Mobile software



The Private Rented Sector (PRS)



The Market



!  4.2 million privately rented homes in the UK

!  Over 8.3 million rented properties

!  Average tenancy is 2 years

!  Legionella Risk Assessments are required every 2 years (L8)

!  (Annually where water is stored on the premises)

!  Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide checks are required annually

!  HUGE MARKET POTENTIAL – fees for Inventories and Legionella Risk Assessments are higher than EPCs

The Market



!  Property Ombudsman's expanding scope

!  RICS best practice guide

!  Tenancy Deposit Schemes

!  Heath and Safety Executive

!  Trading Standards

!  Area specific schemes (Wales, London, Manchester, Birmingham)

Supporting Factors



Private Rented Sector

!  We are all aware that the Energy Assessor role need not be based on a singular product line.

!  A DEA can compliment EPC with other specific property assessments while in the property.

!  Estate Agents are increasingly too busy, or are moving to an online model covering a larger area, rather than traditional high street based agents.



What concerns may estate agents have?

! Competence ! Time ! Quality ! Trust



Private Rented Sector

RHI

Our focus is to provide professional contractors recognised by the industry. By offering a digital forms software module and work flow management software – supported by certification and training. Flexible training and certification options – Highfield, ABBE, City and Guilds, APIP, along with an APEL option for current practitioners. Low cost routes to certification with all the benefits included across the main assessment types.



Stroma Certified

RHI

!  Inventory Reports: Check In, Mid Term and Check Out

!  Legionella Risk Assessments

!  Energy Performance Certificates

!  Carbon Monoxide/Fire Alarm tests



An overview of Legionella Risk Assessments



!  Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

!  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) !  Approved Code of Practice L8 !  HSG 274 Enforced by Health and Safety Executive and Environmental Health Dept.

The Legislation



!  Legislation created after the 1966 Aberfan disaster !  The basis of all British health and safety law !  The main requirement on employers is to carry out a risk

assessment !  If you are an employer, or someone in control of premises, including

landlords, you must understand the health risks associated with legionella (HSE Website)

!  Landlords must appoint a competent person !  A competent person is someone with the necessary skills,

knowledge and experience to manage health and safety, including the control measures

Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974



!  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health: !  Identifying hazards !  Deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessment) !  Providing control measures to reduce harm to health !  Making sure they are used !  Providing information, instruction and training for employees and others

COSHH



L8: Legionnaires’ Disease, The Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems

!  The Approved Code of Practice – “ACoP L8”

–  Gives practical advice on how to comply with the law

–  Revised in January 2015

–  300 Litre Water Limit removed, bringing privately rented properties within the legislation

–  Private landlords now have a clear duty of care



HSG274

!  Technical and practical guidance for the control of the legionella bacteria.

!  Page 45 details the landlord’s or letting agent’s obligation.

!  2.143: Landlords should inform tenants of the potential risk of exposure to legionella and its consequences and advise on any actions arising from the findings of the risk assessment, where appropriate.



HSG274 IMPORTANT: “2.139 Where a managing (or letting) agent is used, the management contract should clearly specify who has responsibility for maintenance and safety checks, including managing the risk from legionella. Where there is no contract or agreement in place, or it does not specify who has responsibility, the duty is placed on whoever has control of the premises and the water system in it, and in most cases, this will be the landlord themselves.”



Risk Management All Sites Require:

–  Suitable and sufficient risk assessment – reviewed every 2 years as a minimum

–  Annually where water is stored on the premises –  Responsible person nominated in writing –  Scheme of control –  Clear and defined management communication chain

Implications for Landlords

–  Difficulty in implementing Scheme of Control – no control over tenants behaviour

–  Advice to tenants regarding water hygiene



Legionnaires’ Disease – What is it?

!  It is a serious illness, a form of pneumonia !  Caused by bacteria – Legionella pneumophilia !  First identified in Philadelphia in 1976 – American Legion

Convention – 34 deaths !  Outbreaks continue – Scotland 2012 & 2013 linked to cooling towers !  Other cases in 2012 & 2013 – Care Homes and display Spa Pools !  Basildon Hospital 2013 – Major fine following multiple infections

including fatalities. Identified failures to keep equipment such as showers clean



A British Perspective

!  2009 – 2011 - 934 Cases –  Almost 60% cases involved persons aged 60 years or

above –  75% of those infected were male –  55% of cases community acquired (including travel within

the UK) !  2012 - Health & Safety Executive Analysis

–  Outbreaks by system type: •  Cooling Towers 16% •  Hot & Cold Water Systems 25%



Legionella – The Bacteria

!  Naturally occurring in water – found in reservoirs, streams & ponds

!  Legionella pneumophilia !  25 – 45°C favours growth !  PH value of 6.5 - 7.5 favours growth !  Dormant in cool water < 20°C !  Will not tolerate very high water temperatures !  Various nutrient sources increase proliferation !  Stagnation of water increases proliferation !  Will enter a domestic water system via mains supply !  Conditions within a domestic water system may cause

proliferation of bacteria



Legionnaires’ Disease – How is it acquired?

!  Inhalation of infected aerosols !  “Aerosols” - Tiny droplets of infected / contaminated water drawn

deep into lungs !  No evidence of person to person !  Not acquired by drinking water !  Incubation period 2 – 10 days (3 – 6 days average) !  12% fatality rate !  Some individuals more susceptible – Age, Gender, Health Factors



Routes to certification membership

Stroma training and

Highfield qualification

APEL route Taking advantage of prior training,

with proof of knowledge and understanding



Stroma LRA Training

£240.00 Plus V.A.T, 1 Day QCF backed course, including Highfield Awarding Body fee Level 2 Diploma in Legionella Risk Assessment Topics Covered: !  Compliance with relative legislation !  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 !  COSHH 2002 !  L8 Code of Practice !  Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 !  Practical assessment methodology !  Background and information on the bacteria and how it spreads



An overview of Inventories



What is an Inventory?

!  Time & date record of property condition & its contents

!  “Line in the sand” before a tenant moves in and once a tenant moves out



!  Protects landlords and tenants

!  Fair to all parties involved in the tenancy

!  Impartial

Why are inventories needed?



!  Should be accurate, clear and concise !  Evidence and proof of condition/defects - start and end of tenancy

!  Protects bonds/deposits

!  Landlord can withhold appropriate levels of deposit/bond where necessary

!  Resolve disputes and helps in the arbitration process

How are they used?



!  Lack of relevant information

!  Lack of evidence of defects and condition

!  Missing photography or lack of relevant photography

!  Unsuitable for dispute resolution or arbitration

Where can they go wrong?



!  Repeatable process

!  Reliable output

!  Good standard of information and relevant detail

!  Good standard of relevant photographs

How to ensure accuracy?



Stroma Certification - Inventory Certification



!  Certification, training and recognised qualification

!  Professional body recognition !  Stroma Marketing assistance (we market to

agents on behalf of the scheme) !  Use of logo !  Ongoing development and training through

audit process !  Approved software solutions !  CPD each year !  Pay per click insurance !  Industry news, monthly newsletter !  Helpline and support (process and technical)

What is Stroma Certification offering?



!  Proof of competency is essential !  Certification to a professional body will increase

confidence in the individual and the product:

"  Code of conduct "  Auditing "  CRB checks "  Standardised outputs "  Quality marks and logos



Routes to certification membership

Stroma training and

ABBE qualification

APEL route Taking advantage

of prior experience, with proof of

knowledge and understanding



!  Qualification can be as little as £250 (includes awarding body fees)

!  APEL route available

!  Membership is FREE

!  Report lodgement is £5 plus 40p for the lifecycle of the tenancy

!  Storage and access of inventory is free via Tracker software

What will the costs be?



“Stroma provides a comprehensive and flexible software solution in order to achieve these goals.” !  Windows Desktop Tracker Software !  Tracker Mobile Software for iOS and Android



What you can do today



Discuss our Tracker & Tracker Mobile software

Speak to us about membership

Grab a drink from the bar

Apply to our Inventory & Legionella schemes at www.stroma.com



Our 3 day Ecobuild CPD Programme Discover our other CPD sessions during ECOBUILD… !  DEA Audit Masterclass !  Private Rented Sector (Legionella & Inventory) !  ISO 9001 and 14001 Certification !  Electronic Data Capture !  Group Competency Scheme !  New DEA Scheme Operating Requirements !  Plus seminars in North Gallery Room 19



Any questions?



Thank you for your time 0845 621 11 11 | [email protected] www.stroma.com

Stroma Certification Explore the Private Rented...

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