Privately rented homes - Housing conditions and enforcement

Privately rented homes need to be safe for residents to live in, the statutory housing and environmental standards take into account:

• Disrepair
• Dampness
• Overcrowding
• Fire precautions
• Missing amenities

Please note: The term Privately rented homes used above includes Houses in Multiple occupation (HMOs) and housing association properties.

Basildon Council will use appropriate enforcement procedures to achieve statutory housing and environmental standards.

If you are  a private tenant experiencing problems with your living conditions

You should:

• Contact your landlord or letting agent. Their details should be on your tenancy agreement. Contact them in writing, if you have had difficulties with them previously.
• If you have not had a reply after a reasonable time (around 14 days for non-urgent works) then contact our Environmental Health services.
• If you think the works are dangerous or urgent contact our Environmental Health services at the same time that you contact your landlord.

What we can do to help

If your landlord is ignoring your request for help, then we may be able to make sure that repairs or improvements are carried out - and the property is safe for you. Normally, we start by approaching the landlord by phone or letter. However, if there is previous history of problems with the landlord, then we may adopt a more formal approach straight away.

We will make an appointment to visit you at home and assess the property using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. We look at any deficiencies and hazards in the property, to help us decide what action we need to take. We may serve a statutory notice on your landlord, or letting agent managing the property, requiring them to carry out remedial works within a reasonable time (normally 28 days minimum).

If your landlord has not appealed against the notice, and does not carry out the works within the time allowed, we may carry out the works and recover the costs from the landlord.

Further information and enquiries

• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
• Enquiries please to our Environmental Health services. See contact details below