Housing Enforcement Policy
This section is for landlords and tenants and
provides useful information on the way the Council enforces housing
legislation and gives details of the work programme of the housing
team.
The Council has statutory responsibility for
enforcing the minimum housing standards set out in the Housing Act
2004 (and the associated regulations). The aim is to ensure all
housing, but particularly rented housing is safe, does not give
rise to injury or illness to the occupiers, is warm and energy
efficient.
The Council is bound by the Statutory
Code of Practice for Regulators made under section 23 of the
Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 which ensures fairness
for all those affected by Council enforcement action. In general,
landlords can expect to be offered the opportunity to put housing
defects right through informal action initially unless it is clear
there is a real threat to the heath and safety of occupiers. In
such cases emergency action can be taken to carry out essential
works.
Landlords can further expect to be offered
advice, information and the chance to discuss the works with an
officer. This may include possible alternative courses of action
which may be acceptable to reach a satisfactory outcome.