Private Tenancy
The vast majority of landlords are responsible and fair. In the unlikely event of you experiencing trouble with your landlord,
the Council may be able to help.
For advice on harrassment/eviction, email housing.options@blaby.gov.uk
To report disrepair, email housing.adaptations@blaby.gov.uk
All accommodation should be free of serious hazards as assessed under the Housing Health and safety rating system. Where
serious hazards exist that can not be addressed by informal action, the Council will consider taking enforcement action. Hazards
are assessed using the Government’s Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Why Housing Health and Safety Rating System?
Concerns about the fitness standard being inadequate to properly reflect defects in dwellings, particularly in the limited
type of “problems" it covers, it being a simple pass/fail method of assessment and the perceived degree of subjectivity
involved new emerging agendas in housing and health, for example: home accidents, increased winter deaths and hospital bed-blocking.
At it’s core, the HHSRS reflects a change in approach from looking at total property condition to one where the focus is
on identifying and assessing the seriousness of hazards arising from property defects – either through poor design, something
missing or lack of repair etc.
The aim of the HHSRS is that all properties, including gardens, outbuildings etc will provide safe accommodation for the
occupiers and visitors.
Harassment and illegal eviction as defined in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, are criminal offences.
The Council has a power to prosecute persons who commit offences. The Council's Housing Officers investigate complaints
and mediate between the parties wherever possible. The Council will consider bringing a prosecution where the evidence is
sufficient to indicate the likelihood of a successful prosecution and where it is in the public interest.
The Council has powers to prosecute landlords who fail to fulfil their obligations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985,
as amended.
Such matters include the failure of landlords to provide rent books and the failure of freeholders to give long leasehold
tenants information concerning service charges and insurance.
Where a complaint is received the Council's Housing Officers will endeavour to secure that the required information is
provided. However in the case of persistent failure to provide the information a prosecution will be considered.
The Council has a power under S.33 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, to make arrangements to secure
the restoration or continuance of gas, water or electricity supplies for the benefit of residents (usually tenants) where
the supplies have been, or are likely to be, cut off because of failure by the owner of the property to pay for the services.
The Council will consider making such arrangements only as a last resort for emergency cases and then only when young children
or elderly persons are affected. When invoking its powers the Council will only make arrangements with the suppliers which
do not involve financial liability falling upon the Council. In every case the Council will co-operate closely with the suppliers
and wherever possible enlist the suppliers' support and assistance.
For further information on the above or any other issues you may have with your private tenancy, please use the contact
details above - we may be able to offer some advice and assistance.
