CPA · Minimum Housing and Health Standards
I. Introduction
0 Purpose
promote the health and well being of occupants of rental housing premises and of those
who may reside in the immediate vicinity of such premises.
Housing regulations and standards are distinct and separate from building and
construction codes. However, these differences are often not well understood and many
people may use "housing" and "building" interchangeably. The primary intent of the
Minimum Housing and Health Standards is to establish minimum conditions which are
essential to good health and which make housing premises safe, sanitary and fit for
human habitation. The Housing Regulation and corresponding Minimum Housing and
Health Standards govern the conditions and maintenance, the supplied utilities, and the
use and occupancy of housing. In contrast, the principal purpose of a building code is to
regulate the construction of buildings by setting minimum regulations for public health,
fire safety and structure sufficiency.
Housing Regulations and the Minimum Housing and Health Standards are also different
from building and other construction codes in that the latter are enforced primarily
through a system of permits which are granted after plans and specifications have been
submitted and evaluated and at which time the construction would be subject to
inspection. The appropriate government and accredited agencies maintain control through
their power to issue and withhold the required permits. Housing Regulations and the
Minimum Housing and Health Standards, however, are enforced by inspections of
housing premises by Public Health Inspectors/Executive Officers of Regional Health
Authorities on a systematic or complaint basis.
The Minimum Housing and Health Standards requirements are summarized as follows:
Housing Premises The housing premises must be structurally sound
and must be maintained in a waterproof, windproof
and weatherproof condition.
Equipment and Furnishings Occupants of a housing premises must be supplied
with adequate heat, potable water; sanitary
facilities, cooking facilities and adequate space for
sleeping.
Sanitation All rooms including other areas used in common by
the occupants of a housing premises must be
maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.