Private Sector Housing (rented and/or owned)

Privately Rented Housing

The Housing Improvement Team works with landlords and tenants to ensure the legal standards for housing are met.  When the team receives a complaint from a tenant of poor housing conditions they will investigate, and if needed, require the landlord to carry out repairs or improvements. 

Examples of works which may be required include:

• leaking roofs and gutters made weatherproof
• missing glazing or broken windows made safe
• dangerous electrical wiring returned to good working order
• faulty fire alarms returned to full working order
• adequate kitchen or bathroom facilities installed 

If landlords do not carry out the works voluntarily, the Council may serve a Notice on them and ultimately may then do the works and charge the landlords for the costs.  Landlords may be prosecuted for failing to carry out repairs after a Notice has been served on them.

Very occasionally conditions within a house cannot be put right and so a house may have to be demolished or closed.  In these rare circumstances the Council will offer the tenants alternative accommodation.

Houses which are in use as bedsits or long-term bed and breakfast accommodation, are known as "houses in multiple occupation" (HMO) and must meet another group of legal standards covering matters including overcrowding, sufficient bathrooms and kitchens, and fire precautions.

Housing Act 2004 - landlords guide PDF (292kb)

How to complain about your accommodation

If you have a problem with your housing you must inform your landlord as soon as you can.  If your landlord does not carry out repairs in a reasonable time then you may wish to make a complaint to the Housing Improvement Team. 

If your complaint is about housing that you rent from the Council please phone the housing repairs team on 01843 577265 or e-mail housing.repairs@thanet.gov.uk.

For advice on tenancy agreement or eviction matters you may wish to speak to the council's Housing Options Team by e-mailing housing@thanet.gov.uk or telephone 01843 577277. 

You may also wish to consult a local solicitor or contact the Citizens Advice Bureau by e-mailing thanetdcab@aol.com, visiting their website http://www.thanetcitizensadvice.co.uk/or telephone 01843 225973. 

If a landlord or their agent is violent, the matter should be reported to the Police.

Housing Improvement Team Service Standards

The council is committed to providing good quality services that meet the needs of all.  The Housing Improvement Service Standards booklet sets out services provided by the Housing Improvement Team, and what to do if you wish to make a complaint.

Housing Improvement Team

E-mail:

housing.conditions
@thanet.gov.uk

Tel: 01843 577437