Housing Conditions
Officers can assist with issues including disrepair, fire safety, management of properties, gas and electrical safety and overcrowding. We provide inspection services and enforcement of the regulations.
Changes to the Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Regulations
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 comes into force on 1st October 2022, requiring all Social Landlords to provide smoke alarms on every storey of their properties where there is a room used wholly or partly as living Accommodation. This has been a requirement for private landlords since 2015.
ALL landlords will be required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room of their properties used wholly or partly as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is present (excluding gas cookers)
There will be a new obligation on all landlords to repair or replace any alarm which is found to be faulty during the period of tenancy and landlords will be required to repair or replace alarms as soon as reasonably practicable. Full details of The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
Legislation introduced in 2020
Are you aware of your new responsibilities as a landlord/property manager?
During this year new legislation has been introduced to ensure the standards and conditions in privately rented properties are improved.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 from 1st April 2021 ALL privately rented properties MUST have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and be fully compliant with the regulations.
However, the regulations already apply to new tenancies which commenced from 1 July 2020. Full guidance can be found in the Guide for landlords: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector (Opens in a New Window)
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
Since 1 April 2020, landlords can no longer let or continue to let properties covered by The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 if they have an energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating below E, unless they have a valid exemption in place.
If you are currently planning to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G, you need to improve the property’s rating to E, or register an exemption, before you enter into a new tenancy.
If you are currently letting a property with an EPC rating of F or G, and you haven’t already taken action, you must improve the property’s rating to E immediately, or register an exemption. Full guidance can be found in the Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance (Opens in a New Window)
Privately Rented Homes
If you privately rent your home or are a landlord for a privately rented home, there are numerous responsibilities which must be met to ensure a safe standard of living.
Find out more on the Government's Private Renting webpages. (Opens in a New Window)
Complaints about housing conditions
If you think that your property is in disrepair or is unsafe then you can make a complaint to the Private Sector Housing team.
How do I complain?
Initially you will need to contact your landlord if your property is rented, preferably in writing, or your social landlord to inform them there is a problem with repairs or conditions at the property. If after a reasonable time period the landlord refuses to complete repairs then you should contact the Private Sector Housing Team.
What happens if I complain?
An officer will need to visit your property to assess the conditions. If we identify the property requires works because it is unsafe or the property fails to meet other applicable standards then we can approach the landlord on your behalf.
The officers cannot ask the landlord to improve the internal decoration of a property.
We can request that the landlord completes the work to the property either informally or by service of legal notice to ensure compliance with minimum legal housing standards.
If the works are not completed satisfactorily then we may undertake works in default and charge the landlord for the costs incurred or we may take the case to court where the landlord may be fined.