The council is aware of the high density of private rented accommodation in the Cottingham and Hessle areas and also that there is a higher number of service requests and complaints from residents in both areas.
As a result and following on from the successful Advance Goole private rented housing inspection programme, which helped ensure homes were meeting the minimum legal standards as well as providing valuable assistance to landlords, a similar survey of residents will now take place in parts of Hessle and Cottingham.
The survey will enable the council to develop a clearer picture of both the type and nature of housing occupation in the area and residents will receive a letter this week about the survey and explaining that an officer from the private sector housing team will be visiting in the near future.
While the main aim of the survey is to help improve standards of pubic health by ensuring that privately rented homes are meeting the minimum legal standards, staff will also determine whether tenants and owner occupiers are eligible for help with the heating and insulation of their homes which, in some cases, may be free of charge.
Where a tenant or owner occupier does not want to participate they can contact the council and no visit will be made.
Those tenants who live in properties which have been accredited by their landlord as part of the council’s accreditation schemes will not be visited as they already comply with the minimum standards and in many cases exceed them.
The benefits of a visit include a follow up home safety check by the Fire Service, the focussing of energy efficiency programmes in the area and the opportunity to address any identified health and safety issues.
Landlords are encouraged to join the council’s accreditation schemes, which have numerous benefits, with details available on the council’s website or by contacting Sarah Horner, landlord liaison officer, on (01482) 396028.
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