Page content section :
Environmental health
Private sector housing
- Private sector housing
- Repair grants (Repairs Grant Assistance)
- Disabled facilities grants (DFG)
- Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
- Houseboats and caravans
Private sector housing
We try to ensure that private sector housing whether it is owned or rented is fit and healthy for those living in them. The council has powers to ensure that homes do not possess potential health and safety risks. In 2006 the council adopted the current Private Sector Housing Strategy (.PDF 90kb). If you are concerned regarding your living conditions and are live in private rented accommodation, you can obtain advice or make a complaint by contacting Environmental Support (see contact details).
Repair grants (Repairs Grant Assistance)
The council, in certain circumstances may be able to offer some form of grant assistance to owners or occupiers living in sub standard housing. The main form of assistance currently available is repair grants. To be eligible, applicants must be in receipt of an income-related benefit (i.e. income support, pension credit (guarantee), an income-based jobseekers allowance, working tax credit, housing benefit, or council tax benefit). Grants are typically given for such works as securing the basic fabric of a property from entry of wind or rain, protecting occupants from immediate exposure to danger and repairs to defective windows and doors.
To find out more, and how to apply, see our Repair
Grants booklet (.PDF 35kb)
(it is best to print this out and re-assemble as an A5 booklet before reading)
For more advice, including eligibility and application information for Repairs Grant Assistance or Disabled Facilities Grants (see below), please contact Environmental Support (see contact details) or Care and repair on (01273) 263308 / 263309 or send care and repair an e-mail
See also :
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)
The council does also administer a disabled facilities grant scheme for a range of works needed to help a disabled person live more independently in their home.
Disabled Facilities Grants mainly help to ensure that disabled persons can move more freely and safely around their homes and have access to essential facilities. Types of work could include building ramps and widening doors, installing a stairlift and converting a bathroom into a shower room.
For more advice, including eligibility and application information for
Repairs Grant Assistance (see above) or
Disabled Facilities Grants, please contact Environmental Support (see contact
details) or Care and repair on (01273) 263308 / 263309 or send
care and repair an e-mail
see also : Care and repair.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
A House in multiple occupation, or HMO, is a house occupied by more than one household. Such houses were originally built as a single dwelling but subsequently adapted for occupation by two or more households. They can include bedsit houses, and some shared houses
All HMO's must comply with the basic housing fitness standard. There are additional requirements covering adequate fire precautions, means of escape in case of fire and appropriate standards of management and amenities.
For more information please contact Environmental Support (see contact details).
Houseboats and caravans
Caravan sites are controlled by conditions attached to caravan site licences. These conditions are intended to protect the safety of the occupants by specifying minimum standards. The standards cover issues such as fire safety, spacing between caravans, facilities on the site, the number of caravans, water supply and drainage, refuse disposal, parking and recreation space. They are based upon 'model standards' produced by central government.
There are no such standards for houseboats, nor does the normal housing standards legislation apply. However, in the case of tenanted houseboats we will investigate whether conditions are prejudicial to the health of the occupants.
As houseboat moorings at Shoreham are privately owned, the only way to buy one would be through a private sale, perhaps through a local estate agent.
See also :
For more information please contact Environmental Support (see contact details).
