Private landlords

Landlord and Property Accreditation  

We operate 2 accreditation schemes – a landlord Accreditation Scheme which links to the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS) and accredits individual landlords on standards of management in the sector and Dudley's Property Accreditation Scheme which accredits the property, not the owner. 

Both accreditation schemes are aimed at driving up standards in the private rented sector by recognising those landlords that are working towards improving the quality of accommodation in the private rented market through the provision of professional development training on legislative requirements, good practice in the sector, dealing with common tenancy management problems and technical advice to bring properties up to set housing standards. 

[ Further information on Landlord and Property Accreditation ] 

Landlords forum and newsletter

A supply of good quality private rental accommodation in the Borough is important to respond to growing housing demand but also to provide a range of housing options to suit all needs across the Borough.  Our landlords' newsletter and twice-yearly forum give us the opportunity to work with landlords and letting agents through the provision of advice and information, so that there is a range of housing accommodation available to suit all needs within the community.

For further information on the next forum call 01384 815070.

[ View back issues of the Landlord Newsletter ]

Are you willing to provide accommodation to young 16-25 year olds with the right support? 

Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd (CHADD) is a small charitable housing association providing a range of housing options for people who need support for them to live in the community. They have over 27 years experience in providing supported housing to single people, older persons and people with special needs. 

CHADD are keen to work with private sector landlords who may already house or are willing to house young people between the ages of 16-25 years of age. They will provide OUTREACH support to ensure tenants maintain their tenancies in the following ways: 

• Housing benefit claims

• Tackling debts

• Registering with GPs

• Providing links to other agencies

• Advising of services available to tenants in the area

• Encouraging tenants to access appropriate education and training

• Working towards employment opportunities 

The service is free to the user and is funded by Dudley MBC Supporting People Grant. 

If you are interested in helping CHADD provide move-on accomodation from their FOYER PROJECT through offering a tenancy in the private rented sector, you can contact the service on 01384 456465 or by email at:  admin@chaddltd.co.uk 

If you want to find out more about the FOYER PROJECT and how it helps young people, please see the attached brochure at the bottom of the page. 

HMOs and licensing 

A HMO is a house in multiple occupation and applies to buildings that are either a single dwelling or a flat where one or more separate households share facilities such as; kitchens, toilet and bathroom. In April 2006 the government introduced a compulsory licensing system for certain types of HMOs. Those HMOs that are over 3 stories and are occupied by five or more persons comprising of two separate households must be licensed. The council is responsible for maintaining a licensing scheme for properties of this type, so if your property fits the criteria outlined in the guidance (under related documents below) contact Private Sector Housing to apply for a licence on 01384 815118  

[ View the Public Register of HMO Licences ]

Homestamp information 

Homestamp is a partnership consortium with an interest in private sector housing comprising of Local Authorities, the Private Rented Sector, West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service. 

Our aim is to: 

• Encourage the supply of good quality private rented homes

• To provide and facilitate information and training for landlords

• To consider and respond to regional and national issues affecting the private rented sector

• To encourage joint working between all interested parties 

[ Visit the Homestamp website ]

Enforcement 

The council aims to protect and promote the health and well-being of the people living in the Dudley Borough by improving private sector rented housing, public health and the environment, via the provsion of advice, support and enforcement action where required. 

We will operate with principles of the Regulators Compliance Code. That is proportionality in applying the law and securing compliance; consistency of approach; targeting of enforcement action; transparency about how we operate and what those regulated may expect; and accountability for our actions. 

The housing health & safety rating system (HHSRS)  

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the government's system for assessing the health and safety risks in dwellings, and is designed as a replacement for the old fitness standard used by Environmental Health Officers in Private Sector Housing to inspect properties in the private sector within Dudley. 

[ Further information on the Health & Safety Rating System ]

Smoke free regulations and private accommodation  

Are you a landlord/managing agent of a residential premises that has ‘common areas’ such as shared hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms? If so the Smoke free legislation, which came into force in England on the 1st July 2007, applies to you.  

[ Further information on smoke free regulations ]

Help with tenancies  

We are here to help landlords with the rental of their properties. We can advise on the setting up and management of tenancies – in line with legislative requirements. If your property meets our standard you can be included on our list of registered landlords. Application documents on this and other tenancy related issues can be accessed using the link below:  

[ Further information on help with tenancies ] 

Gas safety

Landlords must ensure that gas appliances installed in their rented properties are maintained and that tenants are provided with a current landlords gas safety certificate.  

[ Further information on Gas Safety ] 

The scheme helps landlords to repair and improve their properties, by assisting with finance through a mixture of loans or grants. Landlords will normally qualify for financial assistance to bring their properties up to the decent homes standard, if they are applying to become one of our accredited landlords through our property accreditation scheme. For further information on housing assistance please contact us on 01384 815118.

Anti-social behaviour

We all have the right to live in peace free from the nuisance of noisy neighbours, threatening behaviour or harassment. If your tenants complain about antisocial behaviour or someone complains to you about your tenants, action will need to be taken. In this instance contact Dudley’s Community Safety Team on 0300 555 2345. Further information on dealing with anti-social behaviour in the private sector is available in the Housing and Anti-social Behaviour Guide for Residents booklet below

Related Documents