Private landlords and tenants

Northumberland County Council are looking to implement a licensing scheme in the area where you are a resident/owner of property, and we would like your views.

Selective licensing is a scheme which will require all private landlords in the area to have a license in order to rent their property out, this allows the council to use powers to regulate landlords and agents of private rented properties in areas that suffer from low housing demand and/or high levels of anti-social behaviour and/or deprivation.

The licensing period will last for up to 5 years and will require owners of private rented properties to have safe properties and meet basic standards, along with being managed in a satisfactory way.
For more information regarding selective licensing, please see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/selective-licensing-in-the-private-rented-sector-a-guide-for-local-authorities

There are many challenges faced in the private rented sector, these include antisocial behaviour and poor property standards. These directly affect the community and people’s wellbeing, poor property can make people sick due to things like dampness and mould, poor properties make homes costly to heat. The introduction of licensing will help us target properties that do not meet the standards needed to provide someone with a safe and healthy home and community and improving the quality of private rented accommodation. The aim is that this will lead to a better overall community, reduce anti-social behaviour and help to stabilise and improve local neighbourhoods.

Selective licensing alone will not resolve all issues, and we intend to work closely with all departments within the council, with the local police force and councillors and as well as with the community. We will ensure that rogue landlords are targeted, and the rest are supported and guided through the process.

The proposed conditions have been written to specifically target Antisocial behaviour and Deprivation across the area, we would like your opinion, as part of the planning of the scheme we will be carrying out an 11-week public consultation which will end on the 31 October 2023.

The Consultation period is now closed. This ran until 31st October 2023, please see the summary of responses here

Our Property and Landlord Accreditation scheme - PLAN is based on property inspections, ensures the condition of a private rented property meets certain standards and is managed properly.

What is PLAN? 
 
PLAN – Property and Landlord Accreditation Northumberland - is the new relaunched Private Rented Sector Accreditation Scheme that aims to support landlords who offer good quality housing in Northumberland. The scheme is voluntary, free and recognises the valuable role that the private rented sector plays by delivering good quality, much needed housing to the residents of Northumberland. 
 
What are the benefits of joining PLAN? 

• Single point of contact from the private sector housing team. 

• One-year free membership with the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) 

• Free training place on NRLA’s ‘Landlord Fundamentals’ training and access to many other valuable training opportunities, 

• Access to an enhanced tenant vetting service which includes criminal and anti-social behaviour considerations through Northumbria Police. 

• A potential discount on Selective Licensing Fees should a Scheme be declared in Northumberland.  

• Advice and assistance for property and tenancy related issues. 

• Market advantage when attracting new tenants and recognition that they are a good landlord providing a high standard of accommodation. 

• Four weeks free advertising for accredited properties on Northumberland Homefinder, Northumberland County Council’s allocation service for housing. 

• Recognition that they are a good landlord providing a high standard of accommodation. 

• Up-to-date information on regeneration/ improvement schemes and initiatives in Northumberland including energy efficiency grants. 

• Positive publicity for their business use – PLAN members are provided with a membership certificate and stickers to display and increase public awareness of the scheme. 

• Briefing sessions and regular newsletters to update on relevant issue. 

The three main stages of the PLAN application are: 
 
Stage 1 - Review of application form and completion of a Fit and Proper Person Check   
Stage 2 - Inspection of property  
Stage 3 - Advertising, finding a tenant and referencing 
 
Please find our PLAN information leaflet and policy document below. 
 
Click here for our PLAN 2022 leaflet 

Click here for our PLAN 2022 Policy Document 
 
How do I join PLAN? 
 
To join PLAN a Private Sector Housing Officer will need to carry out an inspection of the property. Before the inspection, copies of the following certificates must be provided: 

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) 

• Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) 

To apply online please click Property and Landlord accreditation form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.   

If you have any queries about PLAN, please 
 
Email: PrivateSectorHousing@northumberland.gov.uk  
  
Phone: 0345 600 6400 and ask for a member of the private sector housing team.  

We offer advice and support on bringing your empty property back to use.

Please follow the link below and read the guidance to help you avoid any potential safety or enforcement problems in your private rented property.

Please follow the link below and read the guidance to help you avoid any potential safety or enforcement problems in your private rented property. 
 
The Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is often used by local authorities. 
 
This guidance is aimed at non-specialists, in particular private landlords, to help them understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHRSS and help them identify the type of work that is needed on their properties to conform with the HHSRS.  
 
Click this link for HHSRS Guidance for Private Landlords. 

This scheme provides landlords with a free reference-checking service with a view to making the tenancy more sustainable and avoiding issues of anti-social behaviour and non-payment of rent.

Tenants wishing to use the scheme will need to read, complete and sign the following: 

• Application and consent form 

Or you can apply online via this link: 

• Online application form 

Landlords wishing to use the scheme to reference check tenants, will need to ensure their property is properly accredited before they can access the scheme. 
 
For full details, please see the following documents: 

• Tenant accreditation guidance for landlords 

• Tenant accreditation guidance for tenant 

•  

This scheme is available to help people find suitable, affordable accommodation by providing a bond guarantee in the private rented sector.

 
It is also available to tenants who are unable to raise the funds from another source, providing the property identified is already accredited through the council’s private rented sector accreditation scheme. 
 
Applicants will be required to save the sum of the guaranteed bond with Northumberland Community Bank. 
 
Moreover, the landlord will be given a paper guarantee that can be claimed upon the end of the initial tenancy period if there has been damage or rent arrears. 
 
For more information, please email private sector housing or phone 0345 600 6400, or to apply, please see documents below. 

• Application form 

• Online application form 

• RDGS Landlord guide 

• RDGS Tenants guide 

Information for private landlords, agents and tenants

Privacy notice for Landlord and Agents 

We have a legal duty to keep and process information about you in accordance with the law. If you are a private landlord or agent and want to know why we ask for your personal information, how that information will be used and how you can access your records you can read our privacy notice 
 

What is the right to rent? 

People who are allowed to be in the UK have a right to rent. People who are not allowed to be here do not have a right to rent. 
 
To find out more about your role and responsibilities as a landlord, agent or a householder who is letting private rented accommodation, or taking in a lodger you can download a copy of  A short guide on right to rent 
 
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is the UK’s largest association for private-residential landlords. They work with full-time landlords with large property portfolios to those with just a single letting. Cllick here to view their website  
 
 
Information for tenants 
If you are a tenant in privately rented property you have certain rights and responsibilities. Further information can be accessed via either the Shelter or Gov.uk websites.  

Northumberland County Council are looking to implement a licensing scheme in the area where you are a resident/owner of property, and we would like your views.

Selective licensing is a scheme which will require all private landlords in the area to have a license in order to rent their property out, this allows the council to use powers to regulate landlords and agents of private rented properties in areas that suffer from low housing demand and/or high levels of anti-social behaviour and/or deprivation.
The licensing period will last for up to 5 years and will require owners of private rented properties to have safe properties and meet basic standards, along with being managed in a satisfactory way.
For more information regarding selective licensing, please see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/selective-licensing-in-the-private-rented-sector-a-guide-for-local-authorities
There are many challenges faced in the private rented sector, these include antisocial behaviour and poor property standards. These directly affect the community and people’s wellbeing, poor property can make people sick due to things like dampness and mould, poor properties make homes costly to heat. The introduction of licensing will help us target properties that do not meet the standards needed to provide someone with a safe and healthy home and community and improving the quality of private rented accommodation.
The aim is that this will lead to a better overall community, reduce anti-social behaviour and help to stabilise and improve local neighbourhoods.
Selective licensing alone will not resolve all issues, and we intend to work closely with all departments within the council, with the local police force and councillors and as well as with the community. We will ensure that rogue landlords are targeted, and the rest are supported and guided through the process.

The proposed conditions have been written to specifically target Antisocial behaviour and Deprivation across the area, we would like your opinion, as part of the planning of the scheme we will be carrying out an 11-week public consultation which will end on the 31^st October 2023.
This is your chance to have your say, to tell us what you think of the scheme.
If you are a resident please complete this: https://haveyoursay.northumberland.gov.uk/housing-public-protection/selective-license-survey-organisations/
If you are operate a business in the area, please complete this: https://haveyoursay.northumberland.gov.uk/housing-public-protection/selective-license-survey-organisations/.

Opportunities for private sector landlords to share information and good practice

Our Annual Countywide and Local Landlord forums are a great opportunity to share information and ideas and to promote the views of the private landlords contributing to the improvement of the county's housing. There will be the opportunity to network with other landlords, as well as officers from Northumberland County Council.  
 
Annual Countywide Forum 2024 - TBC


Local Landlord Development Forum
Thursday 9 November 5-7pm, at Blyth Civic Centre. There will be a light buffet followed by presentations from guest speakers.
Speakers include NRLA with information on Renters Reform & NCC's Environmental Health Team on Damp and Mould Growth.
To register for tickets online please follow this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-landlord-development-forum-tickets-743646355267?aff=oddtdtcreator
 

If you would like to talk to us about our forums, please call 0345 600 6400 and ask for a member of the Private Sector Housing Team or email: privatesectorhousing@northumberland.gov.uk.