Tenancy strategy

Guidance for private rented sector landlords and letting agents

As set out on the government website, all landlords must:

• keep their rented properties safe and free from health hazards.
• make sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained.
• keep their property in good condition and ensure timely repairs are carried out to an adequate standard.
• make sure smoke alarms (and carbon monoxide detectors where necessary) are fitted and in proper working order.
• provide an Energy Performance Certificate, that meets industry minimum requirements, for the property.
• protect their tenant’s deposit in a government approved scheme.
• check their tenant has the right to rent their property if it’s in England.
• give their tenant a copy of the how to rent checklist when they start renting from and offer tenancies without discrimination, in accordance with the Equalities Act
• obtain the correct property licence if they rent a property as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) or the property is situated in an area where a selective licensing scheme operates.
• Landlords of licensed HMOs and properties must by law give tenants a written statement of the terms and conditions on which they occupy it, e.g. a tenancy or licence agreement.

Consideration must also be given to:

• provide longer term tenancies of a minimum of 3 years to provide security and assurance for both landlords and tenants.
• keep communication lines with their tenants open, either directly or through an appointed third-party manager.
• avoid eviction which should always be the action of last resort once all other avenues to resolve concerns have been exhausted.
• promote a ‘back to basics’ approach with the use of a deposit and rent in advance model over a ‘one off’ incentive payment to empower tenants to take responsibility for their property and finances.
• the measures contained in the Renters Reform Bill 2022-23.
• WHBC’s Partnership Accreditation for Landlords scheme.

We encourage all landlords and letting agencies, regardless of size of portfolio, to support our vision for high standards for tenancies in the Borough so our residents live as healthily, safely, and independently as possible.

We are committed to support and provide advice for private landlords and tenants to help resolve situations where the tenant is in financial difficulty and struggling to make rent payments. Eviction should always be the action of last resort once all other avenues have been exhausted.

To access information, advice, and guidance to help resolve any tenancy or rent payment issues at an early stage, we encourage landlords to use the Council’s Landlord Advice Line. If tenancy sustainment is not possible, we may explore options to rehouse tenants in more suitable accommodation and/or advise whether there is any financial support available for the tenant.