Private Sector Housing Forum

The private sector housing forum is an independent body set up in Lambeth to address the issues relating to private sector housing.

The mission statement for the forum is:
“To improve the housing conditions in the private sector in Lambeth where these are poor, and to maintain good housing standards where these already exist”.

The forum covers a wide range of topics, from problems that people may have in accessing accommodation, through to the licensing of houses in multiple occupation, and how services for people in private sector housing are promoted and publicised.

Becoming a member of the forum

Anyone can become a member of the forum. Current members include private sector landlords, private sector tenants, home-owners, local advice agencies and the council. If you live in, or own, a home which is anything other than a council owned property or a housing association owned property, then you have an interest in private sector housing, and may want to be involved in the forum. Please contact us if you would like to be added to the mailing list.

Deciding what the private sector housing forum does

The work of the forum is agreed by the steering group. The steering group is an elected body and has ten members that include private landlords, private tenants, home-owners, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the council. Everybody who attends the forum, and obtains at least four voting points, is able to nominate or be nominated to the steering group, and hence influence the work carried out.

Forum meetings

The forum holds open meetings every three months. These include presentations and discussions on issues relating to private sector housing as well as feedback on the activity of the forum sub-groups. The presentations and discussions will include information about new legislation, details about services aimed at the private sector and policies affecting people’s homes and business.

Next meetings

The next meetings of the private sector housing forum will be held at the YMCA, 40 Stockwell Road at:

• 18 February 2010, 5.30 to 8.00pm

Refreshments will be available from 5.30 pm.

The private sector housing forum sub-groups

The sub-groups are agreed by the steering group, and are set up to resolve specific issues relating to private sector housing. They work by ensuring that the ‘right people’ are brought together to identify the problems, and then work on these until a suitable solution is established.