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Housing Act 2004

Private landlord responsibilities

The Housing Act 2004, which came into force on 6 April 2006, introduces a new definition for houses in multiple occupations (HMOs).  The Act means high risk HMOs must be licensed and provides a new system for assessing housing conditions known as the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS).

Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

The HHSRS provides an assessment about a house's hazards to health and safety. It puts the emphasis on the occupant rather than the building. There are 29 hazards to be assessed including:

We can take enforcement action to ensure landlords eliminate and/or minimize these hazards. You can see more at:

For more information, please contact us at regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or 01329 236100.

Homelessness Prevention Grant Funding

The Council has recently been awarded funding from the Homelessness Prevention Grant. This is government funding provided to local authorities to help prevent homelessness.

This funding has been allocated to provide services and assistance to private landlords and letting agents in Fareham to reduce the risk of failed tenancies. This can be used in situations where:

A tenant's rent arrears have reached around one month (minimum),
No notice has yet been served, but one is being considered, or
There are early indicators that the tenancy may become unsustainable without intervention.

Private landlords and letting agents are encouraged to contact the Council early if these situations arise, as this funding can help to support a preventative approach to eviction. The aim is to help tenants remain in their accommodation where it is reasonable and safe to do so, resolving housing-related issues that could lead to homelessness, and reducing the need for emergency or temporary accommodation.

Where a resident cannot stay in their current home, this funding can also help to support tenants in finding and moving into alternative accommodation.

For more information about Homelessness Prevention Grant funding, please contact the Housing Options team on 01329 236100.