Housing > Housing advice

Accommodation certificates - fitness for human habitation
The aim of this service is to identify properties which fail to meet the fitness for habitation or tolerable standard requirement and determine the most satisfactory course of action to be taken with that property.
Anti social behaviour and nuisance
The local authority will provide support and assistance to local residents who are victims of harassment, anti-social behaviour and noise and nuisances and where necessary take appropriate actions in conjunction with other agencies (police etc.).
Co-operative development
A co-operative is a way for two or more people to go into business together and reducing personal financial risk. The council can help set up a new co-operative in any sector or help existing co-operatives by providing advice and information on issues such as business planning, finding premises, legal advice, business information, suppliers etc.
Communal heating charges
Communal heating charges for council properties are divided among all residents on an estate, the proportion is added to their rent account.
Community grants
Providing financial assistance to the voluntary and community sector.
Community safety
The crime and disorder reduction strategy which addresses key priorities in relation to crime and disorder, it also provides information about priorities and initiatives. Reporting tends to be done locally and the partnerships aggregate and anonymise data to support decision making.
Council estates - parking
The local authority is responsible for determining parking regulations (residents and visitor parking) on council property and for enforcement of those regulations.
Council housing - current garage arrears
The local authority may decide to automatically repossess the garage where rent arrears rise to an unacceptable level or an account is in arrears for too long.
Council housing - evictions
If a tenant fails to pay rent or breaches any aspects of their tenancy agreement the local authority has the right to evict the tenant by applying to the court to repossess the property.
Council housing - home insurance
Local authorities manage and maintain tenants homes but do not insure tenants personal belongings, household goods and contents. However, they offer comprehensive insurance cover for contents which is exclusively available to its tenants. Tenants are advised to take out home contents insurance.
Council housing - improvement strategy
The Government requires all local housing authorities to achieve a new 'decent homes' standard by 2010 and to consult with tenants, leaseholders and other stakeholders about how best to achieve this and other wishes for service improvements.
Council housing - insurance claims
Council tenants may make insurance claims against the council for any damage that the council causes to the tenants' possessions, or injury to the tenant or members of their family. This includes damage caused by contractors working on behalf of the council.
Council housing - late tenancy arrears - rents
When a person leaves a council tenancy they become known as a 'former or late tenant'. If there are arrears at the end of the tenancy the Council will continue to pursue these. The council will discuss repayment terms with the tenant and could, if payment is not made, summons the former tenant to Court to get an Order for payment
Council housing - rents
Every council tenant must pay rent for their property. Rent is usually payable weekly and may include other regular or communal charges associated with the property. The local authority will help tenants to claim any available assistance with paying their rent.
Council housing - tenancy issues
As well as officers taking repair reports, collecting rents and other payments, managing rent arrears and dealing with breaches of the tenancy agreement; local estate staff can also help and advise on a number of other issues including moving, adaptations and multiple tenancies
Council lettings - garages
Garages may be available for rent to council tenants, leaseholders and private tenants and a waiting list is usually maintained for these. The authority will process applications and issue rental agreements which usually include restrictions on the use of the garage.
Credit unions
A credit union is a profit sharing, democratically run financial co-operative which offers convenient savings and low interest loans to its members. The council may offer support to local credit unions by providing advice and information to help them get started and manage their affairs in a legal and efficient way.
Crime - support and assistance
The local authority provides support and assistance to tenants who are victims of a crime such as homophobic crime, racist crime, or general crime committed in their home or whilst in the vicinity of their home. Where the council are unable to resolve the problem they may offer the tenant the chance of being re-housed in a different area.
Empty properties
Estates management
The council provides an estates management service for land and property in the area. Services provided include sales, lettings, acquisitions, property management, asset valuations, insurance valuations, professional property advice.
Home exchange
This service provides lists of tenants wishing to move, either within the area or to other areas. Existing tenants can exchange their home with another tenant provided the landlord agrees the mutual exchange.
Home ownership service - right to buy
The right to buy scheme allows a secure tenant who has held a local authority tenancy for two years to purchase their property at a discounted price.
Home safety advice
Advice and information about safety in the home including accident prevention, what to do in the event of an accident, risks in the home etc. Some authorities may run safety awareness training sessions for the local community.
Homelessness - advice and support
This service provides information and advice about housing to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They may be offered temporary accommodation or permanent home.
Homeowners
Hospice care - adult
Provision of information about hospices in the area for terminally ill people and their carers.
Housing - Care and Repair scheme
The Care and Repair project is for elderly or disabled owner/occupiers or private sector tenants who require repairs or improvements to their home. The service excludes decoration, gardening, fencing, slabbing etc. Clients are required to pay the cost of the materials only. A hardship fund will operate to pay for materials in limited cases. If you are unsure whether the small repairs service can assist, please telephone for advice.
Housing - alterations by tenants
A tenant who wishes to carry out improvements and alterations to their local authority property must request permission from the local authority.
Housing - community safety
The council work with tenants to ensure the safety of all council housing estates. They will address issues of nuisance and harassment and ensure all areas are well lit and secured (entry doors etc.).
Housing - improvement and repairs loans
Local authorities may provide financial assistance (in the form of a mortgage or secured loan) to existing or prospective homeowners to enable them to carry out improvements and repairs on their property.
Housing - information and advice
Advice to tenants and landlords in the private sector on housing related matters such as tenancies, welfare benefits, rent, repairs etc.
Housing - legal advice and support
County court housing advice and representation schemes aim to provide free, independent and confidential advice and representation to homeowners and tenants attending hearings in possession proceedings brought on grounds of arrears, who either have not previously obtained advice and/or are without legal representation
Housing - mediation
The council provides a mediation service to help resolve disputes between neighbours or between citizens and the council.
Housing - public health advice
Providing advice and information to the public on all aspects of public health relating to housing. Enforcement of public health and housing regulations.
Housing - rent determination
The local authority is obliged to send details of a tenancy to the Rent Office for private tenants in receipt of housing benefit whose tenancy commenced after 1 January 1989, the local authority is obliged to send details of your tenancy to the Rent Officer. It is the responsibility of the Rent Officer to tell us if you are being charged a reasonable rent for your accommodation. The Rent Officer will make a determination and advise us of the appropriate rent to be used in your Housing Benefit assessment.
Housing - support to tenants
The aim of the service is to provide support to new tenants. A support worker will be assigned to each individual who will work towards helping the tenant to live independently.
Housing Advice and Housing Options Service
Housing advocacy service
Housing allocations - information and advice
The local authority is responsible for providing information and support for local citizens on the process of applying for council accommodation. This may include publication of the housing register, information on allocation priorities, advice on how to apply etc.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit Overpayments
The local authority has a duty to recover overpayments of benefit for which there was no entitlement from tenants and landlords and where necessary take criminal proceedings in respect of fraudulent overpayments.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit appeals
Anyone who has claimed housing benefit and disagrees with the decision made in their assessment can challenge the decision by submitting an appeals form within one month of the date of the original decision. The authority is responsible for advising claimants of appeal procedures and investigating each appeal.
Housing benefit - backdated claims
A claimant may be eligible for their claim for housing benefit to be backdated (by up to 52 weeks) if there is a good cause why they were unable to apply for their housing benefit earlier. The authority is responsible for advising residents about eligibility for backdating claims and for processing applications.
Housing benefit - change of circumstances
Review of housing benefit for an existing client usually as a result of a change of circumstances (new job, change of address etc.)
Housing benefit - new claim
Processing of a new claim for housing benefit from both council and private tenants. Claims require evidence of tenancy and income in order to assess eligibility for benefit.
Housing benefit - renewal
Housing benefit is generally paid for a maximum of 60 weeks (5 years if the claimant is over 60). The local authority is responsible for issuing the claimant with a renewal form approximately 8 weeks before the current benefit period is due to end and for assessing the eligibility of the claimant to continue to receive housing benefit.
Housing focus groups
Housing repairs - communal areas
The local authority deals with repairs to communal areas within council accommodation such as communal lighting in a block of flats, or the communal drainpipes to a block of garages.
Housing repairs - council property
The council are generally responsible for structural repairs to council property, for repairs to essential supplies (water, gas, electricity etc.) or any repairs where they may be a risk to health or safety. Where the damage has been caused by the resident they may be asked to pay for the repairs.
Housing repairs - decoration and disturbance allowances
A new or existing tenant may be eligible for a decoration or disturbance allowance where the council need to carry out major repairs or redecoration work to a property whilst the tenant is still living there.
Housing repairs - emergency out of hours repairs
The local authority operates an emergency repair service to deal with essential repairs outside of normal working hours where there may be risk to tenants, the public or the environment if the repairs are not carried out immediately or where the property may not be secured.
Housing repairs - overdue repairs - discretionary allowance
Provision of a discretionary allowance to tenants where it has not been possible to carry out essential repairs to their home or to communal areas around their home within a reasonable or agreed timeframe.
Housing repairs - rechargeable repairs
Where a property requires repair as the result of damage or negligence caused by the tenant the local authority will charge for the cost of work to rectify the problem.
Leaseholders - information and advice
Licence - homes in multiple occupancy
The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords of houses of multiple occupation (with more than two households or tenants) to be licensed by the Local Authority. In Scotland, under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Order 2000, any rented property which is occupied by three or more unrelated people, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, must have a licence from the local authority.
Low cost home ownership
Provision and management of a scheme whereby eligible local citizens can purchase property at a reduced cost or participate in shared ownership schemes.
Private landlords
Private property compulsory acquisition
The council can be granted the power to buy or take rights over private property if it falls within a public or private construction project such as housing regeneration or a redevelopment area / project. Prior to issue of CPOs there should be a consultation and may be a public enquiry.
Private property voluntary acquisition
Where private property if falls within a public or private construction project such as housing regeneration or a redevelopment area / project the council may come to an agreement with the property owner regarding the purchase of the property before considering the issue of a Compulsory Purchase Order.
Private tenants - advice and support
A local authority may be able to provide help and advice to existing private tenants who may be a victim of harassment, illegal eviction or experiencing trouble or issues with their landlord.
Property demolition - assessment
The local authority will continually review and assess housing conditions in the area to help determine which properties are unfit for occupancy or are abandoned.
Property enquiries
Information and advice on vacant industrial/office/retail/land and development opportunities in the area.
Rent setting
The local authority is responsible for setting the level of rent based on how much it needs to spend on services for its tenants. Rents should be published giving reasonable notice of any changes (usually at least one month).
Residential care - adult
Residential or nursing home for elderly people and people with disabilities who are unable to manage at home.
Safety inspection - homes in multiple occupation
The local authority carries out safety inspection on homes in multiple occupation to ensure that it is safe, fit to live in and meet the legislative standards.
Sheltered housing - homeless
Homeless people who fit eligibility criteria (age and needs) for council run sheltered accommodation can apply for a place and will be assessed for suitability. Where they do not fit eligibility for sheltered accommodation they will be considered for other council run housing in the standard way.
Supported and sheltered housing - information and advice
Sheltered housing is a flat or bungalow especially designed and built with the needs of elderly people in mind. Sheltered housing is run and maintained by the council and is usually available to residents in the local area who feel that they require support to live independently.
Welfare rights - advice
Information and advice about entitlement to welfare benefits, other allowances, grants and general financial difficulties.
Youth justice - action plan orders
An action plan order is to prevent a young offender from further offending by working with them to deal with problems which may have led them to get into trouble. It is a sentence of the court, which is supervised by a member of the council Youth Offending Team. The content of the Order will vary for each young person