The important provisions of this Act are:-

 

Part 1: Housing Health and Safety A new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) helps councils target the worst condition properties, often housing some of the most vulnerable people. More detailed guidance for landlords is also available.

 

Part 2: Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Improves controls on HMOs, including a mandatory national licensing scheme to raise the standards of some of the highest risk properties with some of the most vulnerable people, whilst maintaining an adequate supply of rented accommodation.  Find out more about Multiple Occupancy Homes.

 

Part 3: Selective Licensing Helps councils improve local communities by ensuring landlords take greater responsibility for the management of their property and deal with anti-social behaviour.

 

Part 4: Empty Homes Enables councils to bring back into use long-term private sector homes with the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders.

 

Part 6: Tenancy Deposit Protection Where landlords, or their agents, require tenancy deposits then those deposits are now safeguarded by a Government sponsored scheme.

 

Part 7: Residential Property Tribunal Offers more expertise on housing matters as opposed to county courts and gives local authorities and landlords easier access to the appeal process.

 

You can download the full text of the Act here

 

Barrow Borough Council will be managing most of the new legislation through the Private Housing Team.

 

The Private Housing Team can be contacted at:

Environmental Health Department,

Town Hall,

Duke Street,

Barrow in Furness,

LA14 2LD

 

Tel 01229 876543

Fax 01229 876411

E mail privatehousing@barrowbc.gov.uk

 

Information about the legislation is available on a number of websites.  See the Related Information section at the bottom of this page.

 

Remember, if you rent out properties in Barrow, these changes will affect your property to some degree or other.