How we deal with unsafe housing conditions
Lambeth is committed to help improve living conditions for tenants in private sector housing, ensuring that properties are safe and secure. Wherever possible, we will work with the owners of those properties to advise and inform what action can be taken to ensure that the accommodation standards are achieved and maintained.
However, where co-operation is not achieved, and the property remains in an ‘unsafe’ or ‘hazardous’ condition formal action will be taken.
What would be the first step?
Once we are aware of the property, we will arrange an inspection and assess whether it meets the required minimum standards for accommodation as set out in legislation.
If a property does not meet the minimum standard or is unsafe, there are a number of approaches we may take. We may be able to advise owners on the action that can be taken to make a property ‘safe’ and ‘decent’. In some cases grants and loans may also be available to improve the property.
However, the local authority will use its powers to take enforcement action to deal with hazards in the interests of the health and safety of an owner or tenants, and particularly, in relation to vulnerable households. This would be undertaken in accordance with our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and could include:
- serving an improvement notice
- making a prohibition order, which closes the whole or part of residential accommodation or restricts the number of permitted occupants
- taking emergency remedial action
- serving a hazard awareness notice
- make a demolition order – under prescribed circumstances
- make a clearance area – under prescribed circumstances
- Prosecute for failure to comply with any prohibition or improvement notice.
What happens of the landlord does not comply?
If the local authority has served a notice and the works do not commence and generally no contact has been established to discuss the works required; the authority has the ability to carryout the necessary works in the default of the landlord.
The council can also recover charges including administration costs, incurred in respect of certain enforcement action exercised under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004.
What should I do if I’m concerned about the standard of my accommodation?
Deciding whether a home meets the standards set out in legislation can be very complex, and can only be fully assessed by an officer experienced in this field.
We may be able to provide advice or take action, but we can only take action if we are aware of any problems.
If you are concerned about the standard of the property where you live, you should contact the private sector housing (environmental health) team at the address at the top of this page.