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 meeting will be on Thursday 24th May 2012, 6pm at the Town Hall in Burton.
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 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. Over the length of the Bond the tenant is able 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. 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
- Claims for damage or loss of rent will be met by the Council
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. To check out the detail see the Bond Scheme Agreement and the Bond Scheme Guarantee.
Tenancies
A tenancy is a right to occupy for a period in exchange for rent. The tenant must have exclusive possession of the land for a tenancy to exist. There are 4 main types of residential tenancy in England but since 1997 all new tenancies are automatically Assured Shorthold Tenancies unless the agreement has specified 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.
Landlord Responsibilities
As landlord you are responsible for repairs to the structure of the building including the roof, windows, doors, drains and gutters, for repairs to baths, sinks, toilets, heating appliances, and the hot water system, and for general building maintenance. However the tenant is normally responsible for repairing damage they or their visitors have caused.
You must get any gas appliances checked once a year by a Gas Safe Registered installer which gives you an up-to-date Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate. This is to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
The electrical system and any electrical appliances you provide must be safe, suitable for purpose, and be maintained in good working order. Any furniture and furnishings you provide must carry labels confirming that they meet fire resistance requirements.
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.
For more information about tenancies and landlord rights and responsibilities you could visit Business Link or one of the many websites for landlords.
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.
Energy Performance Certificates
Since 1st October 2008 you must give new tenants a copy of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their home which includes a rating for its energy efficiency and environmental impact, together with recommended measures which would improve its rating. Business Link has more information.
Help for struggling tenants
If you have tenants who are struggling to manage their tenancies, floating support could help. See Support Services
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