COVID-19 service update -
During the COVID19 coronavirus pandemic we will be dealing with the majority of the service requests the Council receives in relation to housing hazards over the telephone and by email.
This will involve contacting landlords regarding issues that tenants raise and requesting repairs are completed. The team will then contact the customer again at a later date and if it is necessary arrange to carry out a full inspection of their home.
The Private Housing Enforcement Policy 2018 - 2022 will therefore not be implemented in full until a later date.
The team will still carry out visits to properties subject to a risk assessment if the housing conditions are of an urgent nature and pose a serious risk to the occupants. The team will not be carrying out any proactive visits in the short term.
Private housing environmental health
We ensure that residents of the city live in safe and healthy homes. Local authorities have statutory duties and powers to deal with conditions in dwellings which affect other properties, occupiers, visitors or members of the public.
Inspections on properties are carried out when either -
- we have received a concern regarding the property
- the exterior is in visibly poor condition
- it is a routine inspection
We will give landlords at least 24 hours notice of our intention to inspect properties by issuing a notice of entry.
Statutory notices
Statutory notice/s may be served following an inspection of the property. The notice/s detail what work we consider is required within what timescale to remove or reduce a potential hazard. Once the officer has contacted the landlord/agent with the works required if a landlord/agent wants to propose alternative works we would be willing to discuss other options. If landlords fail to carry out the work specified on the notices we will arrange for either -
- the work to be carried out at the landlords expense
- a prosecution case being passed to the legal department or the service of a fixed penalty notice or up to £30,000
If you are served with a statutory notice you will be charged for this.
Carrying out the work
Work that has been identified on the notices must be carried out in the timescales specified. If you have any questions or queries regarding the work or you are experiencing difficulties in gaining access to your property to carry out the work you need to discuss this with the officer that is dealing with your property.
Right to appeal
If you have been served with a statutory notice your rights of appeal are detailed on the notice. Appeals should be made to the Residential Property Tribunal.
Make an enquiry
You can make an enquiry about private housing by accessing the page below.
