There are approximately 10,000 rented properties in the town (approximately 15% of privately owned properties) and the Council's Healthy Homes Team is able to offer a range of services for landlords and their tenants.

GENERAL STANDARDS

The system for assessing houses is called the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Private rented accommodation should also comply with basic legal minimum standards. It is the landlords’ responsibility to ensure the property meets all statutory requirements set out in the Housing Acts, Environmental Protection Act, Landlord and Tenant Act and also Planning and Building Control legislation.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

All gas installations and appliances must be checked and maintained annually by a suitably qualified CORGI  (Council of Registered Gas Installers) registered gas installer and the installation must meet the requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

All electrical installations should ideally be in compliance with BS7671: 1992 – Requirements for electrical installations, with the work being carried out by a contractor registered with the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) or another similarly recognised organisation.

All furniture provided by the landlord must comply with the provisions contained in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This applies to anyone who rents out residential furnished (or part furnished) accommodation which includes the supply of furniture, furnishings and other upholstered products. For more details, telephone the Public Protection Trading Standards Team on (01202) 451400 or e-mail Trading Standards Team

LOOKINg FOR A HOME IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Guidance on Looking for a Home in the Private Sector (58Kb)PDF.

HOUSING HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM

Guidance for landlords and agents on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) (2.1Mb)PDF.

FIRE PRECAUTIONS AND MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM FIRE IN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Guidance for tenants, landlord and agents on Fire Precautions and Means of Escape from fire in Single Family Homes (61Kb) PDF.

KEEPING YOUR RENT DEPOSIT SAFE

Read the following guidance on Keeping your Deposit Safe (63Kb) PDF.

HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION

There is a mandatory licensing system for certain categoriesof Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). More information on HMO licensing.

HOUSING ADVICE

CONDENSATION AND MOULD GROWTH

COMPLAINING ABOUT YOUR HOME