Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council ceased to exist on April 1st 2009 when its services
and responsibilities transferred to
Cheshire East Council. This website is available for information only.
Housing Act 2004
The Act will come into
force on 6th April 2006. If you wish to have a look at the Act,
click on the following link;
Housing Health and Safety Rating
System
The Act strives to bring up to standard the 6.7 million homes
in the UK which are deemed to be non-decent. In addition to matters
previously considered when inspecting a house, rented accommodation
will rated on hazards such as cold, mould, carbon monoxide,
security, noise, personal falls, fire and food safety. Hazards are
scored according to likelihood and outcome.
Where necessary the Council will serve an Improvement Notice
or Prohibition Notice and appeals against notices must be taken to
the Residential Property Tribunal within 21 days. Where either
notice is deemed necessary the Council will have the power to
charge for the officer's time taken to inspect the premises and
serve the notice an obvious incentive for landlords to ensure their
properties are suitable. The Act also allows the service of Hazard
Awareness Notices where a warning may be deemed appropriate and
voluntary action may be taken.
Houses in Multiple
Occupation
Licensing
Licensing will be necessary where an HMO consists of 3 storeys
or more with 5 or more occupants and there is at least one shared
facility (eg wc or kitchen). If you have a property such as
this please let us know so that we can license you, operating
without one can result in a £20,000 fine.
Shared Houses
The definition of HMO is changing. Houses which are not
occupied by members of the same extended family will become
included within the HMO definition. This will mean most student
houses and migrant workers' houses will become HMOs. The Council
will aim to inspect these HMOs to ensure they do not present risks
to the occupiers.
(For example they are not overcrowded and offer adequate fire
safety measures)