The Council no longer own or manage any Council houses – they were transferred to Tor Homes, a Registered Social Landlord in 1999. Tor Homes can be contacted via www.torhomes.com
The Council still has a duty to prevent homelessness, wherever possible and to assist homeless families when it is not. It also maintains the Statutory Housing Register (waiting list) and provides a Housing Advice Service on all housing matters across all tenures.
The Council also has a duty to ensure the housing stock in the South Hams is kept in good repair, investment is maintained to minimise poor housing, and attention is given to addressing fuel poverty through innovative new design and refitting.
The Council is responsible for producing and promoting housing strategies to deliver its number one corporate priority of securing a supply of housing for local people at affordable levels. This means identifying the housing need in the District and working in partnership with the planning authorities, Registered Social Landlords, the Homes and Communities Agency, Health and Social Services authorities, private sector landlords, and other private and voluntary organisations, to maximise the supply of property and services to meet the affordable housing need.
| Affordable Housing |
| The Affordable Housing Team's priority is to secure a supply of housing for local people at affordable levels. Information is available on affordable housing initiatives such as the SHIRE scheme, the Village Housing Initiative, sub market rental properties, the Market Acquisition Programme, and future pipeline developments. |
| Housing Advice |
| Details of a range of options to assist people who need to move home including private renting and the Council’s Direct Lets Scheme, together with information on a range of housing issues including security of tenure, mortgage arrears and the rights of tenants and landlords. |
| Applying for Housing |
| South Hams District Council has changed the way it operates its housing register and the old system of allocating points has been replaced by a new choice based lettings scheme, Devon Home Choice. |
| Homelessness |
| Information regarding the council’s duty to investigate households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, including what to do if you are suffering from domestic violence, details of the Devon Sanctuary Scheme, and minutes and agendas of the Homelessness forum. |
| Housing Policies and Strategies |
| Copies of the Council’s Housing Strategy, Homelessness Strategy, the Devon wide Gypsy and Traveller Housing Needs Assessment and the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy. |
| Information for Developers |
| Information on District and Parish Housing Needs Surveys that have been undertaken and details of the Council’s affordable housing requirements on new developments. |
| Maintaining Your Home - Loans & Grants |
| If you own or rent a property which is in need of repair (or adaptation in the case of disability), you may be able to get help from the Council to meet all or part of the cost of the work. |
| Renting from a Private Landlord |
| As a private rented tenant you have a right to expect a certain standard of accommodation. If you are a tenant and you are concerned about the poor condition & repair of your home, we can try and help. See here also for Multiple Occupancy Homes. |
| Residential Park Homes |
| The Environmental Health Service is responsible for licensing residential, static and touring caravan and tented camping sites. Licensed sites need to have facilities and meet basic conditions. |
| Home Energy Saving Measures |
| Schemes exist for owner occupiers, tenants and private landlords to improve insulation and in certain instances, heating systems. Low interest loans are available for the installation of approved sources of Renewable Energy. The Council also supports Cosy Devon (heavily subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation for all). Private landlords see also PLEA Scheme. |
| Empty Homes |
| It is our policy to encourage owners to bring any long-term empty homes back into occupation and as the property owner there are several potential benefits. Where renovation work is involved, a grant may be available. |
| Asbestos, Radon, Private Water Supplies |
| This link gives advice on what to do if asbestos is found in the home, available radon reduction measures, and the protecting and testing of private water supplies. |
