A range of support and advice is available regarding private housing, for both landlords and tenants. We can ensure that housing standards are met, provide grants for disability adaptations, and help landlords meet their obligations.
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We have a responsibility to ensure that all housing in the New Forest is suitable for people to live in.
If you rent your home and there is disrepair or other problems, you should first discuss any issues with your landlord.
You should allow a reasonable amount of time for them to work on the problems.
As well as discussing the matter with your landlord, you should confirm the details of the problem in writing.
If your landlord will not help or is taking too long to help, you can email our private sector housing team at privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5151.
We will help determine what action, if any, it is appropriate for us to take or how we can assist you to get the issue resolved.
Our aim is to bring long-term empty homes back into use and improve the standard of housing in our communities. If you need advice or notice an empty home, you can email privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5151.
We offer advice to help owners ensure that homes are in a standard suitable for people to live in. We always try to enable the return of properties to a decent standard using informal action. Where necessary, we may have to enforce owners to bring a property back into use.
Grants to fund adaptations for people with a disability are available to owner-occupiers, tenants or landlords. The purpose is to assist with the costs of making a home suitable to meet the needs of a disabled person.
To apply for a grant, email privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5151.
You will need to complete a financial assessment form to confirm whether you are eligible for support. If you are, the types of funding available include:
The nature of the grant and the value will vary based on the works required and eligibility. We will advise on what is right for you.
Grant aid will not be available if work has been completed before a grant is approved. You should not start any work until you have received confirmation of an approved grant.
As a private landlord, you have certain obligations. You must:
We can give advice on this and help you meet your obligations. You can email privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5151.
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a building, or part of a building (such as a flat), which is rented out to 3 or more people who form 2 or more households. Where more than one household shares an amenity (or the building lacks an amenity) such as a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities.
From 1 October 2018, the mandatory licensable HMO definition has been varied to 5 or more unrelated persons who form 2 or more households. This new definition removes the 3 or more storeys element which was previously in place. A landlord of such a property must make an application to us.
You are a household if you are:
Minimum room sizes for all licensed HMO's are:
Currently the licence fee is £976 and is paid in 2 instalments as below:
The fee includes the council's costs for managing the HMO scheme. You will only be granted a licence when all HMO criteria, including safety measures and the maintenance of facilities/equipment, are to a satisfactory standard. Licences are payable by BACS or cheque to New Forest District Council.
Our Housing Standards Team work together with landlords, assisting and advising to ensure current HMO standards are met.
You will need to complete an application form to register a licensable HMO. You must do this for each licensable HMO you have.
If you own or manage a licensable HMO in the New Forest district, you can apply for a licence below or contact the Private Sector Housing Team on the details below who will send you a copy of the application form, for you to complete.
HMO Application Form [166.15KB]
Operating a licensable HMO without a licence is a criminal offence which can result in prosecution or a civil penalty.
If you would like to discuss whether your property is an HMO, email: privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk or call 023 8028 5151.
We have completely reviewed and updated our private sector housing strategy to improve access to safe and healthy homes and enable safe independent living.
Our current strategy covers the period 2020 to 2024.
Download the Private sector Housing Strategy 2020 to 2024 [4.92MB]
We are looking for properties to lease from private owners. We can offer:
Alternatively, we can work in partnership with you; linking you up with tenants who we are currently working with to prevent their homelessness. This could be because another landlord is selling their property or they have had to move area. We offer full support and can ensure that Universal Credit or Standing Orders are set up for your rent payments. We are then just a call away should your tenant need support in the future.
For further information, download the Private Sector Leasing brochure below.
Private Sector Leasing [184.05KB]
To partner with us on this scheme, please email privatesectorhousing@nfdc.gov.uk.
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