Enforcement Action Proves Useful Tool to Improve Housing Quality

Enforcement powers have been used almost 30 times in the past year to drive up the quality of housing in Tendring.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Private Sector Housing team has had almost 470 requests for help so far in the 2019-20 financial year from tenants living in private accommodation – which makes up around 20% of the area’s housing.

Fortunately in the majority of cases improvement work was carried out by landlords after informal action was taken, while in 90 cases advice was given to support tenants to secure works.

In 153 cases the matter was referred to another council team or an external organisation for help and support.

In total TDC has taken formal enforcement action in 29 cases, including issuing prohibition orders, improvement notices, and penalty notices running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Paul Honeywood, TDC Cabinet Member for Housing, said there had been good work carried out even if most of it was unseen to the public.

“With nearly 20% of our residents living in privately rented housing it is important that we use all the powers available to us to make sure tenants are protected from landlords who do not comply with the law,” Cllr Honeywood said.

“We have a very strong and effective private sector housing enforcement team who are dedicated to ensuring tenants live in decent and safe homes, and will continue to work on their behalf.

“Over the past year some very strong action has been taken across the whole district to protect tenants from unsafe housing. This may involve using our own powers, or in some cases working with partners such as the police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.

“I am pleased that following the introduction of additional powers for councils last year, along with our adopted enforcement policy, we have been able to use these extra tools in the box – as a last resort – to ensure action is taken to protect tenants.”

NEWSDESKS

For more information on this news release contact Tendring District Council’s Communications Manager Will Lodge on 01255 686338.