The Private Sector Housing team deal primarily with conditions in privately rented accommodation (Housing Standards) and with financial assistance for essential repairs.
Our colleaques in Housing Advice can give assistance for the homeless and those soon to become homeless.They also maintain the Housing Register and work in partnership with Registered Social Housing Providers on new housing projects.
The Private Sector Housing Team of Environmental Health is responsible for ensuring that accommodation within the South Hams is at a satisfactory standard and that it is not overcrowded.
The Housing Act 2004 introduced the Housing Health and Safety Hazard Rating system to replace the "fitness for habitation" standard which had been used by Councils for more than 40 years.
This system applies whether a house is privately occupied, privately rented or rented from a social landlord.
Special powers are available to deal with properties that are houses in multiple occupation and these relate to occupancy levels, repair, fire precautions and the number of facilities available to the occupants. There are particular standards for houses in multiple occupation, which will vary in detail, according to the type of property.
If you rent the house you live in and the Landlord does not carry out repairs which are needed, contact the Private Sector Housing Team for advice.
A landlord also has a duty to have a gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe Engineer, every year and to give the tenant a copy of the report. If your Landlord refuses to do this you should contact the Health and Safety Executive Gas Safety Advice Line, telephone number 0800 300363.
For more information on housing matters click here.
The Council has published:
- a Tenants Guide
- a Landlords Guide
- a Houses in Multiple Occupation Guide
- an HMO Licencing Initial Enquiry Form
- a Frequently Asked Questions about HMO Licencing
- Is my property and HMO?
which all give further information and are available free of charge, on request.
In addition the Department of Communities and Local Government also publishes a variety of advisory booklets on housing matters.
Visit the Revenue & Benefits team for advice on Housing Benefit
