Housing advice Function
Council tenant advice (109) Service
A local authority will provide existing tenants with advice and assistance on matters such as rents, transfers, mutual exchanges and general matters relating to tenancy. This may also include advocacy where necessary.
Drainage (664) Service
The local authority provides help and advice on highway drainage, land drainage or private drainage and may arrange for clearance of a blocked drain.
Energy efficiency (880) Service
The council will provide advice on energy efficiency and carry out an assessment of a property. In the UK the SAP is the Government's recommended system for energy rating of dwellings. The Standard Assessment Procedure is used for calculating the SAP rating, on a scale from 1 to 120, based on the annual energy costs for space and water heating and also for calculating the Carbon Index, on a scale of 0.0 to 10.0, based on the annual CO2 emissions associated with space and water heating. The SAP rating is used to fulfil requirements of the Building Regulations to notify and display an energy rating in new dwellings.
Housing advice (652) Service
Advice to homeowners, tenants and landlords in the private sector on housing related matters such as tenancies, welfare benefits, rent, alterations and repairs, neighbour disputes etc.
Housing and public health (661) Service
Providing advice and information to the public on all aspects of public health relating to housing. Enforcement of public health and housing regulations.
Housing legal advice (110) Service
Court housing advice and representation schemes aim to provide free, independent and confidential advice and representation to homeowners and tenants attending hearings in possession proceedings brought on grounds of arrears, who either have not previously obtained advice and/or are without legal representation.
Housing mediation (1124) Service
The council provides a mediation service to help resolve disputes between neighbours or between citizens and the council.
Local authority mortgage scheme (LAMS) (1719) Service
The Local Authority Mortgage Scheme (LAMS) is available to first time buyers who can afford mortgage repayments and have a 5 per cent deposit but who do not have the larger deposit now required by many mortgage lenders. The scheme allows the Council to support first time buyers through the provision of a financial indemnity so that a 95 per cent mortgage can be obtained on similar interest rate terms to a 75 per cent mortgage.
Private landlord support (1616) Service
Provision of information and support to anyone who is providing property for rent in the local area.
Private tenant advice (108) Service
A local authority may be able to provide help and advice to support existing private tenants to uphold their rights. This may be where the tenant has been a victim of harassment or illegal eviction or where there is a dispute between the landlord and tenant.
Tenant references (1617) Service
Provision of a reference to a mortgage lender for tenants wishing to purchase their own property. References may also be provided to a landlord for tenants moving into privately rented accommodation.