Introduction to Private Sector Housing
We are able to help both people who own their own homes and tenants who live in privately rented houses/flats
etc to live in reasonable conditions.
For people who own their own homes, we are able to provide both advice and assistance in helping to maintain their
properties to a decent standard.
We work in conjunction with owners of long term empty properties to help bring them back into use. Most empty
properties do not pose a problem, and do not result in complaints. However, the council has developed strategies to deal
with certain properties and help to encourage the owners to bring them back into use.
If you are a tenant who lives in a privately rented property advice and assistance is available to both you and the landlord
of your home to help keep the property maintained to a reasonable condition. Where necessary the council may need to
take enforcement action to make sure this happens.
Help and advice is also available to private tenants who are being harassed by their Landlord or threatened with illegal
eviction.
An Accreditation scheme is available to landlords with homes to rent. The aim of the scheme enables the council to
work more closely with landlords to help provide better quality homes, and management of these homes for people and
families wishing to live in the borough.
Licensing information for tenants (HMO) (PDF 35kb)
