Tenant Support and Housing Standards in Camden
Darren Wilsher
Beverleigh Lawrence
T
e
n
a
n
t
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
•
Disrepair and poor management
•
Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing
•
Support with rent
•
Eviction
•
Harassment
S
u
p
p
o
r
t
i
n
g
t
e
n
a
n
t
s
P
r
i
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a
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S
e
c
t
o
r
H
o
u
s
i
n
g
S
e
r
v
i
c
e
C
a
m
d
e
n
–
3
3
%
o
f
h
o
u
s
e
h
o
l
d
s
(
3
2
,
1
8
6
)
i
n
p
r
i
v
a
t
e
r
e
n
t
e
d
s
e
c
t
o
r
(
L
o
n
d
o
n
2
5
%
)
•
Improve standards within the private rented sector – statutory duty under Housing
Act 2004
•
Disrepair e.g. roof leaks, faulty heating systems, no hot water, damp
and
mould,
electrical hazards
(
could mention
HHSRS)
etc.
•
Other hazards e.g. excess cold, risk of falling, inadequate security, fire safety
etc.
•
Licensing
of
houses
in
multiple occupation
(
HMOs
)
H
o
u
s
e
s
i
n
M
u
l
t
i
p
l
e
O
c
c
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p
a
t
i
o
n
W
h
a
t
i
s
a
H
M
O
?
Property where three or more people forming two or more households share
amenities (bathroom, kitchen, toilet)
•
All licensed HMOs inspected (first application and on renewal)
•
Council’s HMO standards apply to HMOs
•
Management regulations and HHSRS also apply to HMOs
•
Licence issued (available on register) with any works needed
•
One year licence issued where serious concerns
•
Actively seek out unlicensed HMOs
•
Compliance inspections carried out
•
Report unlicensed HMOs to
hmolicensing@camden.gov.uk
W
h
y
w
e
e
n
f
o
r
c
e
a
n
d
l
i
c
e
n
c
e
W
h
a
t
’
s
t
h
e
p
r
o
b
l
e
m
?
•
The majority of landlords will take
reports of disrepair seriously from
their tenants.
•
Unfortunately, there will be some
that fail to take action
•
Camden receives over 700
complaints a year from tenants
regarding disrepair
W
h
o
’
s
r
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
l
e
?
Your landlord will be responsible for most repairs:
However, check your contract for extra responsibilities
Y
o
u
r
r
e
s
p
o
n
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
i
e
s
You must use your home in a ‘tenant like
manner’:
•
Minor maintenance (lightbulbs, smoke alarm
batteries)
•
Safety checks on electrical equipment you
own
•
Keeping you home reasonably clean
•
Fixing appliances and furniture you own
•
Any damage caused by you, your family or
guests
•
Allowing access for repairs
Y
o
u
’
v
e
g
o
t
a
p
r
o
b
l
e
m
D
o
’
s
a
n
d
d
o
n
’
t
s
•
Do report to your landlord as soon as possible
•
If urgent report by phone first
•
Do follow up in writing (letter, email or text):
•
What repair issue is
•
If phone call first – when reported and what
landlord said they would do
•
Ask landlord for timescale for repair to be
completed
•
Tell landlord you will follow up if no progress
•
D
o
n
o
t
s
t
o
p
p
a
y
i
n
g
y
o
u
r
r
e
n
t
W
h
a
t
i
f
n
o
r
e
s
p
o
n
s
e
?
•
Send another email/text to your landlord
•
When reported previously
•
State impact on your physical or mental heath
•
Give reasonable time period for landlord to respond
•
You may want to mention you will refer to local
council if no response
C
o
n
t
a
c
t
t
h
e
c
o
u
n
c
i
l
h
m
o
l
i
c
e
n
s
i
n
g
@
c
a
m
d
e
n
.
g
o
v
.
u
k
www.camden.gov.uk/web/private-renters-in-camden/get-help
020 7974 4444
C
a
n
t
a
k
e
a
c
t
i
o
n
u
s
i
n
g
v
a
r
i
o
u
s
l
e
g
i
s
l
a
t
i
o
n
–
Primary legislation - Housing Act 2004
•
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
–
Public Health Acts – blocked drains, WC
–
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949
–
Environmental Protection Act 1990
S
t
i
l
l
n
o
r
e
s
p
o
n
s
e
!
Wide range of advice and guidance for tenants.
www.camden.gov.uk/web/private-renters-in-camden
C
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m
d
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n
P
r
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v
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R
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Homes (Fitness for Human
Habitation) Act 2018
Discover tenant support services in Camden, addressing issues like disrepair, poor management, and eviction harassment. Learn about licensing requirements for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Find out how Camden enforces housing standards and handles complaints regarding property maintenance.
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Presentation Transcript
Tenant support Darren Wilsher Beverleigh Lawrence camden.gov.uk
Supporting tenants Disrepair and poor management Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Support with rent Eviction Harassment camden.gov.uk
Private Sector Housing Service Camden 33% of households (32,186) in private rented sector (London 25%) Improve standards within the private rented sector statutory duty under Housing Act 2004 Disrepair e.g. roof leaks, faulty heating systems, no hot water, damp and mould, electrical hazards (could mention HHSRS) etc. Other hazards e.g. excess cold, risk of falling, inadequate security, fire safety etc. Licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) camden.gov.uk
Houses in Multiple Occupation What is a HMO? Property where three or more people forming two or more households share amenities (bathroom, kitchen, toilet) All licensed HMOs inspected (first application and on renewal) Council s HMO standards apply to HMOs Management regulations and HHSRS also apply to HMOs Licence issued (available on register) with any works needed One year licence issued where serious concerns Actively seek out unlicensed HMOs Compliance inspections carried out Report unlicensed HMOs to hmolicensing@camden.gov.uk camden.gov.uk
Why we enforce and licence camden.gov.uk
Whats the problem? The majority of landlords will take reports of disrepair seriously from their tenants. Unfortunately, there will be some that fail to take action Camden receives over 700 complaints a year from tenants regarding disrepair camden.gov.uk
Whos responsible? Your landlord will be responsible for most repairs: Electrical wiring Structure and building exterior Baths, sinks, toilets and drains Damage to decorations Gas appliances Fire safety Common areas However, check your contract for extra responsibilities camden.gov.uk
Your responsibilities You must use your home in a tenant like manner : Minor maintenance (lightbulbs, smoke alarm batteries) Safety checks on electrical equipment you own Keeping you home reasonably clean Fixing appliances and furniture you own Any damage caused by you, your family or guests Allowing access for repairs camden.gov.uk
Youve got a problem Do s and don ts Do report to your landlord as soon as possible If urgent report by phone first Do follow up in writing (letter, email or text): What repair issue is If phone call first when reported and what landlord said they would do Ask landlord for timescale for repair to be completed Tell landlord you will follow up if no progress Do not stop paying your rent camden.gov.uk
What if no response? Send another email/text to your landlord When reported previously State impact on your physical or mental heath Give reasonable time period for landlord to respond You may want to mention you will refer to local council if no response camden.gov.uk
Still no response! Contact the council hmolicensing@camden.gov.uk www.camden.gov.uk/web/private-renters-in-camden/get-help 020 7974 4444 Can take action using various legislation Primary legislation - Housing Act 2004 Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) Public Health Acts blocked drains, WC Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 Environmental Protection Act 1990 camden.gov.uk
Camden Private Renters website Wide range of advice and guidance for tenants. www.camden.gov.uk/web/private-renters-in-camden camden.gov.uk
Take your own action Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 camden.gov.uk
