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Landlord and Tenant issues in Former MOD villagesHousing Enforcement and Empty Homes
25 February 2014
Housing Disrepair
• Usually work from reports from tenants
• Contact Landlord / Agent
• Complete inspection of property if necessary
• Next steps would depend on hazards found
Ex MOD Villages
• Complaints Received in last 2 years:
• 9 Hemswell Cliff
• 2 Scampton
• 2 Brookenby
• 1 Newtoft
• Small numbers of complaints compared to Gainsborough, Market Rasen
Housing Act 2004
• Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• 29 Hazards
• Vulnerable groups
• Look at the whole dwelling
• Likelihood and class of harm
• 3 figures to generate hazard score
• Doesn’t cover occupier behaviour
Hazards found in rented properties
Ex MOD Villages
• Constructed 1946-1979
• Common Problems:
• Insufficient ventilation
• Broken or insufficient heating
• Leading to condensation mould
• Absentee landlords are common
Options if hazards are found
• Informal letters and correspondence between us and landlord
• Enforcement notices
-Improvement Notices
-Prohibition Orders
-Boarding up notices
-Hazard Awareness Notice• Action proportionate to hazard and in public interest to
enforce • Housing Enforcement Policy
Other landlord responsibilities
• Gas safety - pipe work, flues and appliances
• Annual gas safety check on each appliance
• Structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water installations, sanitary installations
• The fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided under the tenancy
• Repairing and keeping in working order the room and water heating equipment
• Energy Performance Certificate
• HSE / Trading Standards or civil action
What is the tenant responsible for?
• Paying the rent and utility bills as agreed
• Taking proper care of the property
• Ventilation and Heating, clothes drying
Empty Homes
Figures as of 1 January 2014
• Long term Empty Homes
• Private Sector, at least 6 months empty
• Brookenby 15
• Hemswell Cliff 7
• Newtoft 2
• Scampton 1
Options for Empty Homes
• Lincolnshire Empty Homes Strategy
• Engagement with owners
• Advice and Assistance
• National Empty Homes Loan Fund
• Groundwork Leasing Scheme (not suitable
where there is a lack of housing need)
• Enforcement
Brookenby Case Study
• Portfolio landlord owns most of housing stock
• Property Manager willing to work with WLDC
• Expressed interest in leasing schemes, unable to
progress due to lack of demand
• Owner agreed rolling programme of works
• So far, down from 19 (Jan 12) to 13 (Jan 14) empties
• New windows and exterior improvements
• Improvements to stock as tenants turnover
Enforcement Options
• Statutory Notices
• S215 Untidy Buildings – Planning Enforcement
• Housing Act, Pest Control, Boarding Up
• Enforced Sale – council tax or Local Land Charge debt
• Empty Dwelling Management Order – lack of housing
demand makes it unsuitable for isolated communities
• Compulsory Purchase Order – public interest test
Any Questions?Andy Gray
Housing and Communities Team 01427 675187 / 675194
Strategic.Housing@west-lindsey.gov.uk
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