Environmental health complaints and the Ombudsman in Perth and Kinross
Quick answer: To report unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions in Perth and Kinross - such as damp, mould, vermin, broken heating or poor sanitation - contact the environmental health team at your local council. You can find the right council and its reporting route through GOV.UK: find your local council. Environmental health officers can inspect your home, and if it falls below the Repairing Standard or poses a risk to health, the council can act. You can also apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) if your landlord does not carry out repairs.
Tenants and landlords in Perth and Kinross are covered by the same statutory framework as the rest of Scotland. This guide provides an overview of how to address environmental health issues. Such as poor sanitation or structural hazards, using both legal avenues and local resources. It's particularly relevant now that the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has introduced a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman. Offering tenants another layer of protection.
Understanding your rights in Perth and Kinross can be important when dealing with substandard living conditions. Environmental health complaints often relate to housing disrepair or unsafe living situations. Which can affect the health and safety of residents. The introduction of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has further empowered tenants by providing an independent body for dispute resolution.
What the law says
The core legislation governing environmental health in Scotland is the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and Part 1 of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The HHSRS assesses properties to identify risks to occupants' well-being, categorising them as Category 1 or Category 2 hazards based on severity.
Tenants may be entitled to report dangerous conditions using these provisions. If a property is found to have significant health and safety issues, local authorities can take action through improvement notices or prohibition orders.
How the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes this
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduced several key changes relevant to environmental health complaints in Perth and Kinross. The most notable is the creation of a Private Rented Sector (PRS) Ombudsman, which offers tenants an impartial third-party for resolving disputes with landlords regarding repairs, disrepair, or any other housing-related issues.
Under this new framework, tenants may be entitled to seek assistance from the PRS Ombudsman if local council action is insufficient or delayed. This can provide a quicker resolution process and greater protection for renters facing environmental health problems in their homes.
What this means for tenants in Perth and Kinross
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) identifies properties that pose risks to the health of residents, categorising them as Category 1 hazards if they're severe enough. Examples include dampness, asbestos exposure, or lack of heating facilities. If a tenant recognises these issues in their home, they should report them directly to the Perth and Kinross environmental health team.
Reporting can be done by contacting the council's housing department via email or phone, providing detailed information about the hazard and any evidence available. Tenants are typically entitled to request an inspection from the local authority if there's a serious risk to their health or safety.
Your next steps if you need help in Perth and Kinross
The first step when addressing environmental health issues should be contacting your landlord directly, explaining the problem and requesting repairs. If this approach fails, tenants may contact the Perth and Kinross council housing team for further assistance. They can provide guidance on how to report a Category 1 hazard or advise on legal options.
Free advice services like Citizens Advice and Shelter are also valuable resources. These organisations offer support in dealing with tenant rights and understanding your options under local and national laws. Additionally, the council's environmental health team is available to investigate complaints and issue improvement notices where necessary.
Common mistakes to avoid
Tenants often overlook documenting issues properly before reporting them. It's important to gather photographic evidence of any hazardous conditions, along with dates and times when these issues were observed. Another common mistake is failing to escalate the matter through official channels if initial communications with the landlord don't resolve the problem.
Landlords may also make mistakes by delaying necessary repairs or dismissing tenant concerns outright without investigating them. This can lead to legal action being taken against them under housing laws.
When to get professional advice
If the issue at hand is complex, such as involving multiple tenants or significant health risks, consulting a regulated solicitor specialised in landlord and tenant law may be advisable. For simpler cases, free services like those provided by Citizens Advice or Shelter can typically offer sufficient guidance and support. To find local help, check directly with Perth and Kinross council for recommended contacts and resources.
