|Home |  Text Only |  Bigger Text |  Smaller Text |  Default Text  

|A-Z |  Contact us |  News |  Events |  Jobs 

Search:

Ashfield District Council's Private Sector Enforcement Team is dedicated to working closely with landlords, tenants and owners of privately owned residential properties in tackling chronic disrepair and associated anti-social behaviour issues. The work centres around privately rented and privately owned empty properties ensuring that landlords maintain their duty to meet health and safety requirements and that properties are well maintained and in good order. Over the past 14 months, the team in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police have carried out direct action in Stanton Hill and Sutton-in-Ashfield to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Using Powers under the Provisions of the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation the team deal with poor housing standards and the impact it has on the occupying tenants and neighbouring properties. 

The day of action held recently, took place on St. Michaels Street in Sutton and involved15 Police Officers out with the Council’s Private Sector Enforcement Officers inspecting dangerous target properties. These inspections resulted in:

• A Prohibition Order under Housing Act 2004 Section 20 & S21 was served on a single family dwelling due to serious risk of fire and electrocution as well as concerns relating to domestic hygiene and personal hygiene and structural collapse.
• A further inspection took place in a property heavily overcrowded with unsuitable conditions.
• A further inspection in a converted house in multiple occupation occupied by vulnerable and drug dependant occupants was subject to an Emergency Prohibition Order under Housing Act Section 43 resulting in the immediate closure of the property, due to significant fire risks and entry by intruder concerns, this property is now empty and secure, all tenants have been relocated to other properties.

The Ashfield District Council Street Cleaning Team and a Community Protection Officer were also out on the day.

The team is committed to working with partners to ensure that anti-social behaviour associated with private rented properties is dealt with and has many projects currently underway.

Bill Buckley, Head of Service at Ashfield District Council said: “The Council will continue to work with the landlords of these properties to ensure they are compliant with the current legislation and reinstate the properties to a high standard.  We are also committed to giving tenants full support and advice throughout the process.”