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Housing advice and standards

Housing advice and standards

If you are experiencing a problem with your accommodation, such as dampness, rotten windows, unsafe electrical wiring, lack of hot water or inadequate heating, please refer to the advice below.

Homeowners 

Houses

If you own your home, please visit our Housing financial assistance page to see how the council may be able to assist you in repairing and improving your property.







Private and Social Housing Tenants

If you are a tenant and you are experiencing problems with your accommodation you should:-

  • Inform the landlord or agent by telephone or in writing.  If by phone, keep a note of the date, time and person contacted, with a summary of the conversation. If writing, keep a paper or electronic copy of the letter. Also if you are given a reference number by a housing association ensure you keep a note of this.
  • The works should be carried out within a reasonable amount of time, with serious matters such as a defective toilet being dealt with urgently. It is advisable to look at your tenancy agreement to see if a timescale for repairs is detailed.
  • If the works are not carried out within a reasonable period of time, tenants can contact the Environmental Housing Team who may arrange a visit, investigate and assess whether there is a health and safety hazard which required action. For more information on health and safety hazards please refer to the 'Housing Standards - Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)' page.

Please note: 

  • Do not withhold rent.  Although there are circumstances when rent money can be used to carry out works, the correct procedure must be followed. Seek advice from a solicitor or professional housing advisor.
  • Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate on a annual basis.
  • Before signing a tenancy agreement ensure you are fully aware of who to contact if there is a problem and how it will be dealt with. 

We also offer advice on what to do if you are having difficulty paying your rent. See 'Eviction' to better understand your rights if you are being asked to leave the property you rent.

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