The Council is keen to support landlords. We have issued a number of Landlords Newsletters and you can find recent issues below:
We also organise Landlords Forum meetings for East Staffordshire to which anyone is invited. We would like to send you newsletters, other information and invitations to forum meetings. To enable us to do this please go to Landlord contact form.
The next Landlords Forum is on Wednesday 27th February 2013 at 2pm in the Blantyre Room at the Town Hall in Burton. We look forward to seeing you there.
Housing Benefit
To request direct payment of Housing Benefit on grounds that the tenant is vulnerable, complete the form and send it to Housing Benefits, East Staffordshire Borough Council, The Maltsters, Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1LS.
To request direct payment because you have reduced the rent to make it affordable or because the tenant has 8 weeks of rent arrears please speak to Housing Benefits on 01283 508422.
Bond Guarantee Scheme
The Council has a Bond Scheme which offers you a Council Guarantee in place of a deposit. So instead of the tenant paying a deposit, the Council indemnifies you against agreed losses for up to two years. The Guarantee covers:
- Loss or damage to the property not caused by fair wear and tear
- Loss of income due to the tenant not paying the rent
Advantages:
- There is no need to protect a cash deposit (required in law)
- Claims for damage or loss of rent will be met by the Council
Over the length of the Bond the tenant is encouraged to save with a credit union so they can borrow the rest of the money they need to pay a deposit when the Bond ends.
For more information see:
The Bond Scheme is one of the tools which Housing Options use to help people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. If you come across potential tenants in this situation who cannot afford a deposit or if you want to know more please contact Housing Options on Burton (01283) 508120.
Tenant introductions
The Council can help you find a tenant by passing details of your vacancy to prospective tenants, and we very much welcome this opportunity to help you and help our customers find housing. See Tenant introductions.
Property standards
The council has published a simple guide to property standards for landlords, and we would love to send you a copy: please email housingstrategy@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk, or call 01283 508149 during office hours. You can view the booklet here.
All housing should be free of Category One hazards. The Council can inspect properties for the presence of hazards and take action where hazards are found. Our approach to enforcement is set out in our Housing Enforcement Policy. Also see our Tenant Complaints webpage, which includes more information on your responsibilities as a landlord.
Houses in multiple occupation
Some types of rented properties must be licensed by the Council. You can read more about this on our Houses in Multiple Occupation webpage.
Problems with tenants
If you have tenants who are struggling to manage their tenancies, you can refer them to a local support service See Support Services.
Tenants need to pay the rent, and it is not helpful to let them build up rent arrears. If your tenant fails to pay the rent on time, please make clear to them that if they do not pay the rent due you will start action to evict them. They can find information here. The Council does ask you to be reasonable to a tenant who offers a solution eg to sort out Housing Benefit difficulties. The Housing Options team will be pleased to discuss your options with you; please call 01283 508120 during office hours.
National Information
New tenancies are automatically Assured Shorthold Tenancies unless the tenancy agreement specifies otherwise, or unless you are a resident landlord in which case it is an excluded tenancy. For more information see Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies: A guide for landlords.
For more information about tenancies and landlord rights and responsibilities visit Business Link, the Government website, or one of the many websites for landlords.
Contact us
This page is brought to you by Housing Strategy: How to contact us:
- Tel (01283) 508149
- Email michael.petter@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
- Visit the Council’s Customer Service Centres at Market Square Burton and Uttoxeter Library
- Write to: Housing Strategy, Town Hall, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 2EB