Enforcement Duties and How to Report
The environmental health team deal with disrepair and nuisance from owner occupied and private rented properties and houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
Houses in multiple occupation of 5 or more persons and more than 2 households require to be licenced, and a landlord and managing agent are responsible for complying with the conditions set on a licence.
The landlord has a responsibility for the following;
- Housing Disrepair: A rented property must meet a minimum health and safety standard assessed in accordance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme and must be free from serious hazards known as Category 1 hazards.
- Gas Safe: maintaining a safe heating system and ensuring all gas appliances are checked on an annual basis by a gas safe engineer. Appliances include heating and cooking appliances. The health and safety executive are responsible for the enforcement of this requirement.
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Ensure there are appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in tenanted properties in accordance with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.
- Electrical Safety: Ensure electrical safety standards are met by provision of a electrical safety report at time of new tenancy and every 5 years thereafter.
Report Your Concerns
If you have disrepair issues, no gas or electrical safety certification, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, and the landlord is not responding and addressing your concerns please contact environmental health on 0191 6436100 or environmental.health@northtyneside.gov.uk.
There are additional requirements on landlords and letting agent on rent deposits, tenant redress scheme, and providing a rented property with a minimum category E energy efficiency rating. This is enforced by trading standards, and any such concerns please email on tradingstandards@northtyneside.gov.uk.