Private Rented Housing

The Private Rented Sector Housing Plan sets out the Council's strategic approach to working with private landlords and ensuring good standards of accommodation.

The private rented sector provides a preferred housing option for many households. The wide choice of property types and their locations makes this sector desirable for many people. In 2010 there were 4,600 privately rented dwellings in Amber Valley, representing 9% of the overall housing stock.

The Council through its Housing Team is responsible for addressing housing conditions. We achieve this in the private rented sector by responding to service requests from both tenants and landlords. Our officers make judgements about house conditions based on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and will make enforcement decisions based on the seriousness of the hazards identified.

We provide advice and support to property owners and agents that want to ensure that their properties meet minimum standards. We receive approximately 200 service requests per year and this ranges from basic advice to situations where tenants lives are being put at risk. Where possible we will seek to work with the owner to bring a property up to standard, but if an agent or landlord knowingly rent a property that puts the tenants at risk then we will serve appropriate enforcement notices. The Council currently charges £200 for every enforcement notice served. We have an enforcement policy to which we work.

The majority of private tenants live in safe homes and will never call upon the Council for assistance. We actively support Decent and Safe Homes East Midlands (DASH) who offer a range of services that can help landlords provide suitable accommodation. This includes accreditation and access to impartial advice.

The Council is responsible for the licensing of houses in multiple occupation and you can also apply for a licence online.  View our section on Licencing Houses in Multiple Occupation.