Landlord responsibility
North Tyneside Council is committed to improving housing standards and ensuring that properties within the private rented sector are well managed, free from hazards and safe for those who occupy them. Whilst the Council recognises that the majority of landlords operate in a legal and professional manner and work hard to ensure that their properties meet the required standards, there are some landlords that will fail to maintain their properties to a satisfactory standard.
The Government has introduced a number of recent measures to enhance the ability of local authorities to deal with rogue landlords, including the use of civil penalties of up to £30,000 as an alternative to prosecution for certain housing offences.
North Tyneside Council has adopted a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy which incorporates the wide range of tools and powers available to regulate private sector housing, including the use of civil penalties.
The landlord has a responsibility to:
- make sure the property meets a minimum health and safety standard assessed in accordance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme
- maintain a safe heating system and make sure all gas appliances (heating and cooking) are checked on an annual basis by a gas safe engineer *
- maintain the electrical wiring and electrical appliances. A copy of a satisfactory electrical installation condition report must be provided no less than every 5 years.
- make sure there are appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in tenanted properties, in accordance with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England ) Regulations 2015
* The health and safety executive are responsible for the enforcement of this requirement.