Understand how to Look After Personal Health and Hygiene
This element focuses on the essential personal health and hygiene practices necessary for independent living and maintaining a tenancy. Learners will explore the daily routines for personal cleanliness, clothing care, balanced nutrition, and physical activity. The aim is to equip individuals with practical skills to promote wellbeing, prevent illness, and sustain a healthy lifestyle in a home environment.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The Open Awards Level 1 Award in Pre Tenancy Skills (RQF) is designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to secure and maintain a tenancy. This qualification covers key areas such as understanding different types of tenancies, the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, budgeting for rent and bills, and how to conduct property viewings. It forms part of the Foundations for Learning suite, providing a stepping stone for students who may be preparing for independent living or further study in housing or supported accommodation.
Mastering pre-tenancy skills is crucial for anyone planning to rent a property, as it helps avoid common pitfalls like falling into debt, breaching tenancy agreements, or failing to secure a suitable home. The course emphasises real-world application, teaching students how to read tenancy contracts, calculate affordability, and communicate effectively with landlords and letting agents. By the end of the award, students should feel confident in navigating the rental process from start to finish.
This qualification fits within the broader context of life skills education, often studied alongside other Open Awards units in money management, employability, or personal development. It is particularly valuable for young adults leaving care, those on supported housing pathways, or anyone seeking to build independence. The knowledge gained here directly supports the transition to adult living and can be applied in both social and private rented sectors.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Types of tenancy: Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is the most common in the private sector; other types include assured, secure, and licences. Each has different legal protections and notice periods.
- →Tenant and landlord responsibilities: Tenants must pay rent on time, keep the property in good condition, and allow access for repairs. Landlords must ensure the property is safe, carry out repairs, and protect deposits in a government-approved scheme.
- →Budgeting for housing costs: Rent is not the only cost – students must account for utility bills, council tax, contents insurance, and a deposit. The '30% rule' suggests rent should not exceed 30% of gross income.
- →The tenancy agreement: A legally binding contract outlining rent amount, duration, rules on pets, subletting, and notice periods. Students should know to check for unfair terms and seek advice before signing.
- →Property viewings and checks: How to inspect a property for damp, mould, security, and working appliances. Also, the importance of taking photos of existing damage and reading the inventory.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Identify key components of a daily personal hygiene routine.
- Describe appropriate methods for washing, drying, and storing clothes.
- Explain the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining energy and health.
- Outline the benefits of regular exercise for physical and mental wellbeing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how poor hygiene can lead to health issues and affect tenancy.
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for clear identification of at least three daily hygiene practices (e.g., handwashing, oral care, showering).
- Look for evidence of understanding correct laundry procedures, including sorting, temperature settings, and use of detergent.
- Check that the learner can provide examples of food groups and their role in a balanced diet.
- Assess whether the learner links exercise to specific health benefits such as improved cardiovascular fitness or stress reduction.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡When describing hygiene routines, be specific about frequency (e.g., brush teeth twice daily) to show thorough understanding.
- 💡For laundry tasks, remember to mention safety precautions like checking pockets and separating colours to avoid damage.
- 💡In discussing diet, refer to the Eatwell Guide or similar models to demonstrate knowledge of portion sizes and food groups.
- 💡For exercise, link it to mental health as well as physical health to show a holistic understanding.
- 💡Use specific examples from the course materials, such as naming the three government-approved deposit schemes or quoting the typical notice period for an AST (usually two months for a Section 21). This shows detailed knowledge.
- 💡When answering questions about budgeting, always show your working – for example, calculate monthly rent as a percentage of income. Examiners look for evidence of numerical reasoning, not just stating the rule.
- 💡Link concepts together: for instance, explain how a poor credit history might affect a landlord's decision to grant a tenancy, and how a guarantor can help. This demonstrates a holistic understanding of the rental process.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing personal hygiene with environmental cleanliness; failing to distinguish between personal care and cleaning the home.
- Assuming that washing clothes in any water temperature is sufficient, overlooking fabric care labels.
- Thinking that a balanced diet means simply avoiding junk food without considering nutrient variety.
- Believing that exercise only involves strenuous gym workouts, ignoring daily activities like walking.
- Misconception: 'A landlord can evict me at any time for any reason.' Correction: Landlords must follow strict legal procedures, including serving a valid notice (e.g., Section 21 for no-fault evictions) and obtaining a court order. Tenants have rights against illegal eviction.
- Misconception: 'My deposit is non-refundable.' Correction: Deposits must be protected in a scheme (e.g., DPS, TDS, MyDeposits) and are refundable unless there is proven damage, unpaid rent, or breach of contract. Tenants should dispute unfair deductions.
- Misconception: 'I don't need to read the tenancy agreement – it's standard.' Correction: Every agreement can have unique clauses. Students must read carefully for hidden fees, restrictions on guests, or early termination penalties. Ignorance is not a defence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for OPEN AWARDS Understand how to Look After Personal Health and Hygiene
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic numeracy skills for budgeting and calculating percentages.
- •An understanding of personal money management, such as income and expenditure, which is often covered in other Open Awards life skills units.
- •Familiarity with reading and understanding simple contracts or agreements.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Personal cleanliness and grooming
- Laundry management and clothing hygiene
- Balanced diet and meal planning
- Exercise and physical health
- Disease prevention and self-care
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