Our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy explains how we regulate private housing standards.

It follows the corporate values and purposes set out in our corporate strategy. It also provides a background to the legislation and guidance on which it is based.

This policy is supplemental to, and should be read in conjunction with, our corporate enforcement policy. It’s important that we have an enforcement policy to make sure there’s a consistency of approach among our officers, and that you know what to expect from us.

An enforcement policy also helps if we need to take legal proceedings or enforcement action is appealed against.

Our aim is to raise standards in housing throughout the area, working with owners, landlords, letting agents and tenants to achieve this. However, we recognise that if the law is broken then enforcement action may be necessary to protect the public and environment.

In developing the policy, we must be fair to both sides and give help and advice to achieve our aim, while also being firm in taking enforcement action where it is appropriate.