Three Ways Installers can Prepare for the Homes Act

Instances of condensation and damp cause major problems in rented housing across the UK, which is what makes the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 such an important piece of legislation. Here are three ways that installers can prepare for the Act:

• Take Responsibility

The link between condensation, damp, mould and ventilation is well established, so it’s likely that if a landlord spots these issues, they will seek the advice of a ventilation professional. This is where installers need to be confident in their knowledge, to ensure they are able to provide the right advice to their customers.

By taking the time to learn about the new regulations and latest products, installers can become experts, and help to deliver effective, compliant ventilation solutions.

• Understand the regulations

As with any regulatory requirements and guidance documents on ventilation, there is a huge amount of information to take on board. The Homes Act adds to this, but for good reason, as it aims to make sure that rented properties are safe and suitable for tenancy. It essentially gives more power to tenants, allowing courts to enforce compulsory improvement to the condition of properties, if deemed unfit.

Installers should take the time to understand how all of the regulations and guidance documents interact with one another, in order to assess whether the existing ventilation strategy in a home is adequate.

• Get to grips with the latest products

If a non-compliant ventilation product is installed in a home, it’s the installer who is potentially responsible. It’s therefore important that installers familiarise themselves with the latest products, to ensure they are fitting compliant and effective ventilation strategies.

There are a wide range of ventilation solutions available, including Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), continuous mechanical extract ventilation (MEV), and intelligent Positive Input Ventilation (PIV), alongside several others. The most important thing to bear in mind is that ventilation should be controllable in order to maintain good indoor air quality and avoid wasting energy.

Overall, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 should be viewed as an opportunity for installers. By ensuring they are up to date on the latest regulations and products, they can become a vital asset to their customers, and help to deliver effective ventilation across the UK.

Paul Harrington, Head of Residential Sales at Elta