Local Authorities / Policy

Leasing Standards

Summary

There is a standard for properties that are accepted onto the Private Sector Leasing Scheme to reduce the risk to the health and well-being of those who occupy the properties. This is linked to the obligations of Councils to have in place a private sector housing renewal strategy and policy for their area.

In addition matters of quality, comfort and convenience are also considered.

The standards may change from time to time depending on the type of contract that a Registered Social landlord has with a local authority, building regulations, planning law, housing and public health legislation, and to ensure that the health and safety of the occupants of the property are assured. 

Further Information

Background

The Government’s Housing policy Statement ‘The Way Forward for Housing’ contained a series of key objectives aimed at offering everyone ‘the opportunity of a decent home’.        

The Housing Act 2004 contains provisions that came into force on 6 April 2006, the most significant of which are:

Part 1 Housing Conditions

A new Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) replaces the former Housing Fitness Standard. The new system is applied in accordance with relevant guidance issued, and can deal with 29 hazards summarised as follows:

• Dampness, excess cold/heat
• Pollutants e.g., asbestos, carbon monoxide, lead
• Lack of space, security or lighting, or excessive noise
• Poor hygiene, sanitation, water supply
• Accidents – falls, electric shocks, fires, burns, scalds
• Collisions, explosions, structural collapse

Part 4 – Additional Control Provisions in Relation to Residential Accommodation

A Council may call upon powers in this part to deal with long term empty properties, with a view to bringing them back into occupation, particularly where there may be a need for affordable accommodation in a locality, or there are serious problems associated with a specific empty property.   

The standards aim to minimise risks to health and safety.

More information is available on individual Council’s websites and you can click on the links below to get to the website of the Council of your choice within the Greater Haven Gateway sub-region.
 
For the purposes of Private Sector Leasing landlords can choose whether they want to offer their property for leasing with a repairing lease on the ‘gold standard’ leasing standards or whether they want to choose instead the ‘silver’ standards suitable for use with a non-repairing lease.

Councils offer a range of loans and grants that can be used to help bring properties up to a decent standard and if you click on the links below you can view the details of what’s available on the Council’s website.

Downloads

Leasing and Safety Standards
Standards for use with a Non-Repairing Lease
Property Inspection Report for Private Sector Leasing
Grants and Loans Available from Councils for Landlords to Improve Their Properties

External Links

More information is available on the Council websites as below:

Babergh: www.babergh.gov.uk
Braintree: www.braintree.gov.uk
Colchester: www.colchester.gov.uk
Ipswich: www.ipswich.gov.uk
Maldon: www.maldon.gov.uk
Mid Suffolk: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk
Suffolk Coastal: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
Tendring: www.tendringdc.gov.uk