Housing > Multiple occupancy homes

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.
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.
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.
Empty properties
Fair rents - homes in multiple occupation
Private tenants who think they are paying too much rent can get the councils rent services to inspect the property and set a fair rent appropriate to the property. Inspections are also carried out into homes in multiple occupation to look for disrepair, inadequate facilities, means of escape, dangerous or defective lifts, general mismanagement and overcrowding.
Home improvements - housing renovation grant for a private property
A renovation grant scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of larger scale works required to make a house fit for occupancy or to put a dwelling into reasonable repair.
Homeowners
Homes in multiple occupancy - register
The landlord or person having control of or managing homes in multiple occupancy must apply to register the premises with the local authority.
Housing - landlords accreditation scheme
A set of standards (or code) relating to the management or physical condition of privately rented accommodation. Landlords who join a scheme and abide by the standards are accredited. Accreditation schemes are voluntary. There is no compulsion for landlords to join, but there may be many advantages.
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 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.
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.
Private landlords
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.
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.