Private renting - information for landlords

We advise on a range of property and tenancy related matters.

These include:

Encouraging membership of the Guildford Lettings Accreditation Scheme
Investigating complaints relating to property conditions
Applying standards in House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
Working to bring long term empty properties back into use

With regards to private sector housing, our priorities are to:

Reduce disrepair in private homes and reduce the number of non-decent homes
Ensure all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) meet relevant standards
Reduce the number of long term empty properties
Influence private landlords to provide good standards of accommodation which is properly managed at affordable rents
Improve energy efficiency in residential accommodation and to encourage the take up of renewable energy sources

Homes 4 U

Do you own property to let in Guildford or the surrounding area? Would you appreciate a no fee service including free tenancy support and a continuous supply of tenants for re-lettings?

Since January 2004 Homes 4 U has assisted approximately 1200 households move into private rented accommodation, by providing deposits. There are currently 350 active private tenancies that the Council has helped to secure.

We provide you with:

A free tenant introduction service
A free tenancy agreement
A free independent inventory service
A designated point of contact with the Council to assist you during the tenancy

If you are interested in the free service we would love to hear from you!

Please contact the Homes 4 U team:

01483 444258 email: sue.ruffle@guildford.gov.uk
01483 444267 email: richard.vry@guildford.gov.uk

Financial assistance to landlords

Grant Assistance to landlords is limited to works to bring empty homes back into use.

The council actively encourages the use of renewable energy sources. Interest free loans are available to assist with the cost of installation of such technology.

In other cases we may consider the Home Trust Loan for other eligible repairs and improvements.

Housing standards and enforcement of the private rented sector

Landlords have a responsibility to maintain the property in a satisfactory condition.

The tenant could take the landlord to court using Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 if a landlord fails to carry out repairs after being informed of them. The court can order the landlord to undertake the repairs and award damages to the tenant.

The Council also has a duty to deal with unsatisfactory housing conditions in the private sector. We have set up the Guildford Lettings Accreditation Scheme to help raise standards and promote good landlords. We will also take enforcement action where necessary in accordance with the Council's Enforcement Policy [202.5Kb] .

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a risk-based approach for identifying defects in dwellings and of evaluating the potential effect. We have a duty to deal with the more serious hazards. Powers to deal with the hazards, include informal hazard awareness notices, formal improvement and prohibition notices plus specific provisions for dealing with urgent hazards.

Three of the main hazards are damp/mould, excess cold and fire safety.

Damp mould and excess cold are often found together. See our advice on dealing with damp and mould.

An Energy Performance Certificate is needed in most residential properties, this can give an indication of the heating costs but does not take account of any damage to systems.

Fire safety can be enforced in any domestic property under the Housing Act, not only Houses in Multiple Occupation. Further fire safety guidance is available.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

From 1 October 2015 the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations 2015 require all privately rented homes to be fitted with a working smoke alarm on each floor of the property. A working carbon monoxide alarm should also be fitted in a room which contains a solid fuel burning appliance.

See the guidance booklet for further information.

The Council is responsible for enforcing the requirements and where a landlord fails to comply with the regulations they may be liable to a penalty charge of £5000.

House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) covers most properties housing three or more people, if they are not all in the same family.

Guildford Lettings Accreditation

The Guildford Lettings Accreditation Scheme is a voluntary scheme to raise standards of property management within the private rented sector in Guildford.

Dealing with damp and mould

If you are experiencing problems with damp and mould, please follow the advice on this page. If problems persist, and you rent your property, the Council can investigate the matter further.