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Help and Advice for Private Landlords and Tenants
Private Rented Standards aim is to encourage high standards of accommodation, repair and good management in the private rented sector. Where necessary we will enforce the legal standards which apply. Although many landlords already have a well managed portfolio, others may need help and advice to enable them to run their businesses effectively and correctly to ensure they meet all the necessary legal obligations.
Private Rented Standards work within the framework of an intervention and Enforcement Policy. The provides that all enforcement activity (formal and informal) is:
- Fair minded
- Proportionate
- Consistent
- Helpful
- Fair
Please refer to the main Enforcement Policy document on the Private Sector Housing Services policy web page
See the Sheffield Landlord Trade Fair, for details of a free trade fair on 9 October 2008 at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium.
Our schemes for support, encouragement and, where necessary, enforcement includes:
- Mandatory Licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation - compulsory licensing for most Houses in Multiple Occupation that have 5 or more occupants on 3 or more storeys.
- Student Accreditation Scheme – a voluntary scheme to encourage landlords to improve standards in student accommodation.
- Sheffield Responsible Landlord Scheme – a voluntary scheme to encourage landlords to improve physical and management standards in their properties.
- Landlords for Excellence - a free course run in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University.
- The Private Rented Project - Improving the standards of Private Rented Accommodation in Burngreave/ Darnall/ Fir Vale and Tinsley.
- We work closely with Sheffield and District Landlord Association (SADLA) – run by landlords for landlords to offer advice and support.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
This is a new approach to the way in which council's assess housing conditions. It uses a risk assessment approach. It provides a system to enable risks to be assessed and has been introduced by the Housing Act 2004, coming into force on 6 April 2006, replacing the “Fitness Standard”. A short guidance document is available as a download on at the bottom of this page.
Energy Performance Certificates from 1 October 2008
From 1 October 2008, legislation will come into effect which will require landlords in the social and private rented sectors to give new tenants a copy of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their home, which will include a rating for its energy efficiency and environmental impact, together with recommended measures (for the landlord to consider) which would improve its rating. Prospective tenants will be able to make informed choices about the energy costs and environmental impact of properties they are considering renting,
Landlords will be encouraged to implement energy efficiency measures to make their properties more attractive to prospective tenants. As a result, standards in the sector will be improved; tenants will have warmer more efficient homes; and issues around the HHSRS excess cold hazard, fuel poverty and the wider climate change agenda will be addressed also.
We produce and distribute written advice for landlords. Specialist advice is also available about standards of private rented accommodation for asylum seekers and homeless people.
- For more information on how to reduce energy usage, and any grants that may be available for energy efficiency improvements to a private rented property, please go to Green Homes
- For more information on the new Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme due to start on 6 April 2007 please go to the Tenancy Deposit and Protection web site.
Downloads
This is short guide to the hazards and background of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. (623 KB)
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