HHSRS Hazard 7

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If a tenant reports a property to the Council for a HHSRS Hazard 7 - Lead issue, the Council is legally obligated to inspect the property for all 29 hazards outlined in the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

If the Council uncovers any Category 1 risks, it is obliged by law to take action against the landlord and any associated agents. This is not just a formality; it is a serious obligation that must be addressed.

Hazard 7 - Lead

This covers the threats to health from the ingestion of lead.

The main exposure to lead in UK homes is through the removal of lead based paint on redecoration. Lead was widely used in domestic paint up until the 1960's, and since then restrictions on the use of lead in paint mean that there is likely to be little risk in post-1970 properties.

Vulnerable Group: Children under 3 years

Defects & Justifications

Date of construction - dwellings constructed before 1970.
Old paintwork - the presence of old paint likely to contain lead.
Disrepair to old paint - damage and/or flaking of old paintwork likely to contain lead.
Previous lead paintwork - where allowed to flake or inappropriately removed resulting in accessible lead in dust or garden soil.
Lead pipework - the presence of such pipework for domestic water.
Plumbo-solvent water - water of high acidity likely to dissolve lead in pipes.

Index of HHSRS Hazards

Rectifying the HHSRS Hazard 7 - Lead: Guidance Checklist

Try Software To Assess HHSRS Hazard 7 - Lead

How can I identify lead-based paint in older homes?

Lead paint is common in properties built before 1978. If you suspect its presence, especially under newer layers, arrange for a professional lead paint inspection or sampling.

What’s the safest way to remove lead paint from a property?

Never dry-sand or heat-strip lead paint. Use certified lead abatement professionals who use safe removal methods such as wet scraping or chemical stripping.

How can I prevent lead poisoning in children?

Regularly clean floors and window sills to remove lead dust, repair peeling paint immediately, and discourage children from chewing painted surfaces or playing in contaminated soil.

Can replacing windows reduce lead risks?

Yes. Old wooden windows often have layers of lead paint. Replacing them reduces friction surfaces where lead dust forms, and also improves insulation.

Is lead in water a concern in UK housing?

Yes, especially in homes with old lead plumbing. You can reduce exposure by replacing lead pipes and using filters certified to remove lead until upgrades are completed.