Housing standards

As a landlord and/or agent acting on behalf of the landlord of rented accommodation you are expected to keep the premises in a safe and habitable condition. Please read through the following guidance: Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS): guidance for landlords and property-related professionals (Gov.UK). The guidance explains that just because a property was designed or built in a certain way does not exempt you from improving it, if the particular deficiencies have a health impact on your tenant. You are also expected to respond to your tenants complaints in a reasonable manner and to do what is reasonable/practical to remove hazards. If your tenant approaches us and following an inspection the officer may consider to service a notice.

Any action taken by us will be in accordance with the Council's Housing Enforcement Policy.

Enforcement

If, having been served with an enforcement notice and you do not comply then the Council will consider what further action will be taken. This can include any of the following courses of action,

• Prosecution in the Magistrates Court: a conviction would lead to a fine which can in respect of some offences be unlimited

or

• Issuing a simple caution: accepting a caution is an admission of guilt without a prosecution. If a landlord is offered and accepts a caution then they will not be prosecuted for this offence but it could be taken into account if any further court proceedings are taken in connection with other matters. If a landlord is offered and refuses a caution then they will be prosecuted because the Council will not offer a caution unless they feel that they have sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction in the Magistrates Court.

and/or

• Carrying out of the works in default; this means doing the work required by the notice, billing you for it and recovering the contractor and Council costs plus interest from you.