RIAMS Communities 

Communities has been busy over the last few months across the specialist forums as practitioners digest the changing local authority and regulatory landscape, new legislation and challenges facing the profession. 

I’ve recently uploaded some legal decisions in the housing professionals' group, including the High Court case of Harvey v Heaver which was a claim brought under sections 9A and 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Of particular interest, the case considered the revised hazards and baseline indicators introduced through HHSRS 2026 as well as the new operating guidance. You can read the case summary here. 

And we have published a number of blogs including our question of the month with Dr Tim Everett (the latest one is summarised below). To see what else is there, log in to RIAMS Communities and take a look at the blogs in the Environmental Protection and Housing Professionals group for the latest ones. 

Licensed Property Registers – Must Local Authorities Disclose Everything?  

In his latest RIAMS Communities Question of the Month, Dr Tim Everett takes a look at what information local authorities have to provide in their register of licensed properties under the Housing Act 2004, and whether the provisions allow for redactions. Tim explores the legal requirements for licensed property registers and the growing tension between transparency and data protection. He looks at the practical lessons local authorities can draw from a 2024 tribunal ruling, revealing why the presumption may be disclosure rather than redaction. 

RIAMS Libraries contains a wealth of guidance and resources covering private water supplies, treatment systems, contaminants and source guidance. Take a look in the public health module to find out more, or join the PWS Community to network with colleagues from across the country.

RIAMS Libraries  

RIAMS Libraries continues to be updated with new and refreshed content covering all areas of environmental health. Quarter 2 saw us update over 200 procedures as well as notice templates and guidance documents in the library.  

Two particularly significant areas this year have been the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and HHSRS 2026. As you get used to using these new powers, visit the following locations to see what’s available to support enforcement:  

• Housing>Procedures for a comprehensive set of new and updated procedures. 

• Housing>Notices>Penalties for financial penalty notices of intent and final notices under the Housing Act 1988, Housing Act 2004, Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Tenant Fees Act 2019.  

• Housing>Notices>Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for template notices of entry to suspected residential tenancies and business premises, notices requiring information from any person and a relevant person, and written record of seized documents under the Renters’ Rights Act. 

• Housing>Documents>HHSRS>HHSRS 2026 Baseline Indicators for our new baseline indicator checker and hazard identifier spreadsheet. 

• Housing>Documents>Housing Power of Entry occupier waivers of notice of entry under section 126 RRA25 and section 239 HA04. 

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