Key Themes for Delivery
4.1 Improving our Private Rented Sector
There are approximately 15,000 privately rented homes in the borough. The sector continues to expand and grow, giving people more housing options and in some cases earlier access to suitable accommodation. Many of the borough’s private rented homes are Tyneside flats and terraced houses which are some of the oldest in the borough. These properties are generally in areas that have higher levels of deprivation and health inequalities, with many not meeting the Decent Homes standard. As well as housing conditions, environmental blight and anti-social behaviour can all influence the way people feel about where they live.
The private rented sector provides accommodation for some of the most vulnerable households. There are variations in the standards and professionalism of landlords across the borough and this Plan aims to tackle poor quality housing to reduce the damaging effect on people’s lives.
The use of short-term tenancies can have a negative effect on the sustainability of neighbourhoods and longer-term regeneration plans. We need to work closely with and support landlords to provide the best possible standards of accommodation by building good relationships and by providing advice and training to landlords and their tenants. We will improve our engagement with tenants and landlords by providing online training modules and re-establishing a landlord forum.
We have several solutions to improve management standards and property conditions in the private rented sector, including the launch of our private landlord leasing offer. This scheme offers private landlords the ability to lease their properties to the Council for at least three-years. These homes will be used for temporary accommodation and to those on our waiting list.
Key priorities by 2028:
- Enhance our approach to supporting private landlords and tenants
- Improve property standards and deliver housing solutions that supports the Council’s regeneration ambitions
4.2 Tackle Derelict and Long-term Empty Properties
Most empty properties are generally vacant for a relatively short period of time, usually associated with the sales process or undergoing repairs or improvements.
However, when properties stand empty for more than six months, they can start to generate complaints, especially if this vacancy is accompanied by deterioration in maintenance and antisocial behaviour. If left unchecked these properties can become derelict. It is therefore important that the Council can support empty homeowners who wish to return properties to use as soon as possible as well as tackling landlords who wilfully allow properties to become derelict.
We have continued to reduce the number of empty properties across the borough by 35% over the last three years. Bringing empty properties back into use will contribute towards addressing housing need by increasing housing provision and help support our ambitious target to provide 5,000 affordable homes. It will support the wider aims of regenerating our town centres particularly in the Wallsend area where we will be rolling out solutions such as a purchase and repair schemes to assist with tenure rebalance and improved quality.
Our action plan will include a toolkit of options to tackle derelict and empty properties including review of our approach to take into consideration the latest national best practice.
Key Priorities by 2028:
- Continue to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in North Tyneside
- Target derelict homes and commercial properties utilising a range of innovative solutions and where possible bring them back as affordable homes
- Support the Regeneration ambitions of North Tyneside Council and target empty properties in Town Centers
4.3 Enable Safe Independent Living
Most households in the borough, regardless of tenure, can manage their home, carry out repairs to their property and move to a new home with no extra help from the Council.
We know that the population of people aged 65 and over will continue to increase in the borough. Our residents prefer to maintain their independence and would like to stay in their own homes for as long as safely possible with help and support when required. The Specialist Housing Market Position Statement will be refreshed in May 2024 and will include the collation of statistics of people wanting to remain in their homes, allowing the Council to shape services to support this.
The Better Care Fund is a shared resource with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board which allows the Council to provide Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). Disabled Facilities Grants enable people to live independently in their own home, minimise risk of injury and prevent hospital admissions as well as Improving quality of life/well-being and maintaining family stability. We are looking at widening the way this fund is used to further increase support for our residents at home.
- In addition, our Safe and Healthy Homes team continue to support those with underlying health conditions to carry out repairs to their homes.
- It is important to ensure services are developed to safeguard people’s independence both for the good of our residents and to save on expensive care costs in the future.
Key Priorities by 2028:
- Review and update our DFG policy to expand the support available
- Complete a review of the DFG service
- Further promote independent living via a range of support services
4.4 A Greener North Tyneside – Improving Energy Efficiency in Private Sector Homes
In 2019, North Tyneside Council declared a climate emergency and set ambitious targets to reduce our carbon footprint. We know that 22% of carbon emissions come from the way homes are powered and heated and this plan will look to build on work that we have undertaken to de-carbonize our own housing stock.
59% of homes that are owned privately in North Tyneside have an energy efficiency rating of between D-G with households living in private rented properties experiencing disproportionally high levels of fuel poverty.
To improve the energy efficiency of homes in the private sector, we will continue to lead the way, encouraging homeowners and private landlords to make the necessary changes to their property. Where appropriate we will support homeowners and private landlords through grant funding.
The Authority’s ambitious net zero targets for housing can only be met with the support of private homeowners making changes and working with a range of partners. There are several different initiatives and projects being developed in partnership with the North of Tyne Combined Authority and the emerging North East Mayoral Combined Authority. An example of this is the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator project which will specifically look at providing support to hard to reach and hard to treat properties. Along with the Combined Authority the Council are also working on the development of a ‘one stop shop’ to allow people to assess the options that are best for their property and become the first point of call for all enquires in relation to retrofit measures.
Key Priorities for 2028:
- Work with our regional partners to develop a “One Stop Shop” to support homeowners in improving the energy efficiency of their homes
- Maximise grant funding to deliver energy efficiency measures in homes