Private sector housing

Here you will find information regarding private sector housing including advice about disrepair, HMO, immigration inspections and drainage.

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The environmental health team deals with owner-occupied and private rented properties. We are responsible for the enforcement of legislation relating to housing conditions, drainage issues and public health matters.

Application for Immigration Inspection 

Our aim is to encourage high standards of accommodation, repair and good management in the private rented sector. Your property must meet minimum health and safety standards. 
 
We offer a service to tenants, homeowners and landlords and we can help you with: 

Repairs 
When a repair is needed, tenants must first inform the landlord or managing agent as soon as possible – ideally in writing – or by phone if it is an emergency. You must give the landlord ‘reasonable time’ to carry out the repairs reported. 
 
If the reported repairs have not been carried out within a reasonable time, even after informing your landlord, do not stop paying rent. Contact us and report your complaint to the Environmental Health Team within our public protection department and we will aim to resolve any issues. If we cannot resolve the matter informally, we can arrange to carry out a formal inspection where enforcement action may be taken. 
 
Phone: 0345 600 6400  
 
Useful links - housing complaints and disrepair 

Where necessary, we can carry out a full housing assessment inspection. A suitable date and time will be arranged with the tenant for this inspection to be carried out. We are legally obliged to contact the landlord, owner or agent prior to the inspection. 
 
The inspection involves an inspection into all rooms within the property and external areas. Once this has been carried out, we will assess health and safety hazards and take necessary enforcement action. 
 
Tenants are not charged for any enforcement action and the charge applies to the property owner. 

Warm & Safe Homes 
 
Download a guide that gives you practical and easy-to-use help to identify the best solutions for householders who are worried about keeping their homes warm and safe and paying their energy bills. 
There is help and support available from a range of providers – including the government, energy suppliers and network companies. This guide aims to give you the tools you need to identify help quickly and easily.

Private sewers and lateral drains have transferred ownership from private individuals to water and sewerage companies. The transfer includes all drains and sewers connected to the current public sewerage system. 

 
You are still responsible for the section of pipe that only serves your property and is inside the property boundary. If a blockage occurs that is shared or outside the property, then the matter should be passed on to Northumbrian Water. If you are unsure where the blockage is located, contact Northumbrian Water: 
 
Phone: 0345 717 1100 
 
If you require any further advice regarding any of the above, contact us: 
 
Phone: 0345 600 6400 or one of our local numbers

What is the health and safety rating system? 
A scoring system is used by all local authorities to risk assess the effect of certain hazards on the health, safety and wellbeing of the occupants. The system allows local authorities to take action to remedy these hazards in order to ensure housing is safe to live in. 
 
Who does it affect? 
The local authority has enforcement powers to ensure owners and landlords, including social landlords comply with the HHSRS. 
 
What are the hazards? 
There are a total of 29 hazards assessed using the HHSRS system. View the list of all hazards here. These are assessed by the inspector and scored appropriately using the rating system. This will determine whether there are any serious hazards (category one) or less serious (category two) present. 
 
How is it enforced? 
If there is a category one hazard present, there is a duty to take appropriate action. In the first instance, the council will endeavour to deal with all matters informally. 
 
However, if unsuccessful, the council can take formal action and serve a statutory notice requiring work to be conducted. The council also has the power, where necessary, to prohibit the use of the whole, or part, of a dwelling, restrict the number of permitted occupants or take necessary action. 
 
Where category two hazards are found, the council can still take enforcement action if there is a need. Alternatively, it may be more appropriate for a hazard awareness notice to be served. This makes the landlord, owner or agent aware of the hazard. 
 
Appealing enforcement notices & orders 
When an owner or landlord has been served with either an improvement notice or prohibition order, they have the right to appeal within 21 or 28 days respectively. 

People moving into Northumberland from a country outside the EEC have to confirm they are moving into accommodation that is of a suitable standard that will not be made overcrowded by their arrival. 
 
A named individual normally has to sponsor the person(s) moving into the area. This sponsor is asked by the immigration authority for proof the property is suitable. 
 
The survey is designed to ensure the accommodation meets the following criteria: 

  • The minimum housing standard under the Housing Act 2004. 
  • Is in a reasonable state of repair. 
  • Has sufficient space to accommodate both the existing occupiers and any additional people who propose to live there. 

If you require an immigration inspection, please contact us for an application form: 

  • Phone: 0345 600 6400 
  • Alternatively, you can download the form here

Details of current occupants and details of the person(s) moving will need to be given with all dates of birth. A current CP12 gas certificate must also be seen if there are any gas appliances in the property. There is a charge for immigration inspections carried out. 

  • View a full list of charges here

On 1 October 2015 new legislation was introduced requiring private landlords to comply with fire safety measures such as fitting smoke alarms to every floor with a living space and carbon monoxide alarms in any rooms with solid fuel heating appliances.  More information can be found at How to rent a safe home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

 
Failure to comply with the regulations may result in a fine of up to £5,000. 

Houses in multiple occupation are essentially shared accommodation including flats, bedsits, lodgings, B&B accommodation, student residences and hostels.

New rules for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) came into force on 1 October 2018.

Changes to the Housing Act 2004 have extended mandatory licensing to include any HMO occupied by 5 or more people in 2 or more households.   There will no longer be a requirement for the property to be 3 storeys or more.

View the 'Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018' and the accompanying memorandum on legislation.gov.uk.

Changes to the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

The most significant change was to extend mandatory licensing to cover all relevant HMOs regardless of the number of storeys.

Previously a property must have a minimum of three storeys, be occupied by five or people and those five or people must be formed of two or more household and there is sharing of a basic amenity (washing, toilet or cooking facilities).  A single storey and two storey buildings will be included within the definition.

To put this into context, for example, if a two storey house was let to five students or friends this property under the new legislation will now need to be licensed.

Further Information:

If you have any questions relating to mandatory licensing and the proposed changes, please email public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk

A property rented out by at least three people from more than one household who share facilities.
If you let a property which is one of the following types, it is a HMO:

  • An entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

  • A house which has been converted entirely into bedsits (or other non-self-contained accommodation) and which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities.

  • A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self-contained (i.e. the flat does not contain within it a kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households.

In order to be a HMO, the property must be used as the tenants only or main residence and it should be used solely or mainly to house tenants.

Properties let to students and migrant workers will be treated as their main residence and the same will apply to properties which are used as domestic refuges.

What counts as a household?

The following counts as one household:
  • a single person living alone (without partners/relatives – three friends sharing would be considered as three households)
  • couples – married, unmarried or in same-sex relationships
  • relatives living together, including parents, grandparents, children and step-children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces or cousins. Half-relatives and foster parents/children are treated as full relatives.
  • any domestic staff are also included in the household if they are living rent-free in accommodation provided by the person who they are working for.
You will need a HMO licence if your property has:
  • five or more tenants from more than one household
  • shared facilities such as kitchen, bathroom and toilet
Northumberland County Council can widen the remit of licensing to include smaller HMOs if we feel there is a need.

How long is the licence valid for?
The licence can be granted for up to five years. In some cases, the licence may not be granted for the full term. For example, if there are any concerns over management of the property or a history of anti-social behaviour associated with the property.

If you fail to make a timely application for a licence, then the period of time the property has been operating as an HMO without a licence may be deducted from the maximum five-year period. This is to ensure equity with those landlords who have made timely applications.
Please read the HMO application guidance below before applying. When submitting the application, you will need to submit supporting documentation and payment.

HMO licence costs are detailed in our HMO licensing policy below.

How to apply
Download and complete the HMO application form below and return it to us, along with the required documentation:

HMO application form  (word)
HMO application form (PDF)
HMO application guidance
HMO policy

Public Protection Service
Northumberland County Council
West Hartford Fire Station
West Hartford Business Park
Cramlington
Northumberland
NE23 3JP

or email to

public.protection@northumberland.gov.uk

We will review your application and once we are satisfied, we will contact you to arrange payment. The council will also carry out checks to ensure the person applying for the licence is a fit and proper person

Mandatory Licensed Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)

Public Register

  HMO Address                      License Holder               Occupation           License Expirey  
 Date

33 Salisbury Close 
Ashington 
NE63 9QN 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 


14 March 2027 

89 Gladstone Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1HU 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

97 Gladstone Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1HU 

Peter Miller 

7 Bedrooms 
7 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

113 Gladstone Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1HX 

Peter Miller 

6 Bedrooms 
6 Occupants 

 
 14 March 2027 

131 Gladstone Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1HX 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

28 Plesssey Road 
Blyth 
NE24 3DD 

Peter Miller 

6 Bedrooms 
6 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

1 Balfour Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1JD 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
 14 March 2027 

33 Avebury Place 
Cramlington 
NE23 2UL 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

34 Axminster Place 
Cramlington 
NE23 2UB 

Peter Miller 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

236 Hawthorn Road 
Ashington 
NE63 9AX 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

145 Rosalind Street 
Ashington 
ME63 9BB 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

158 Ariel Stret 
Ashington 
NE63 9NG 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

6 Bedrooms 
6 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

17 Portia Street 
Ashington 
NE63 9DL 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

286 Milburn Road 
Ashington 
NE63 0PL 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

60 Beatrice Street 
Ashington 
NE63 0PL 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

260 Milburn Road 
Ashington 
NE63 0PL 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

11 Woodhorn Road 
Ashington 
NE63 9AS 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

14 Alderley Way 
Cramlington 
NE23 2UF 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

24 Seaton Avenue 
Bedlington 
NE22 5AY 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

28 Beaumont Street 
Blyth 
NE24 1HP 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

33a Bridge Street 
Blyth 
NE24 2AA 

Mears 
Housing 
Management 

5 Bedrooms 
5 Occupants 

 
14 March 2027 

4 Balfour Street
Blyth
NE24 1JD

Mears
Housing
Management

6 bedrooms
6 occupants

19 March 2027

122 Waterloo Road
Blyth
NE24 1DE

Mears
Property
Management

6 bedrooms
6 occupants

19 March 2027

The Reef
86 Regent Street
Blyth
NE24 1LX

Changing Lives

11 bedrooms
11 occupants

22 March 2027

65 Allerhope
Cramlington
NE23 6SX

Sabus Properties Ltd

17 bedrooms
20 occupants

22 March 2027

11 Milburn Road
Ashington
NE63 OHE (First Floor)
Mears Property Management
Zak Property Group
6 bedrooms
6 occupants
31 May 2027
7-9 Milburn Road
Ashington
NE63 0HE (Ground Floor)
Mears Property Management 6 bedrooms
6 occupants
3rd Oct 2028
44 Beaumont Street
Blyth
NE24 1HP
Skope Property Investments Ltd
(Mears)
5 bedrooms
5 occupants
14 July 2027
Elaine House
Lynemouth
NE61 5TW
Elaine House Ltd 9 bedrooms
9 occupants
18 July 2027
Flat 1, 27-29 Waterloo Road
Blyth
NE24 1BW
Regina Regal Estates Ltd 7 bedroom
7 occupants
3 Oct 2028
Flat2, 27-29 Waterloo Road
Blyth
NE24 1BW
Regina Regal Estates Ltd 7 bedroom
7 occupants
3 Oct 2028
58 Milburn Road
Ashington
NE63 0PG
Mears Housing Management 5 bedrooms
5 occupants
31st August 2027
31 Sycamore Street
Ashington
NE63 0BB
Mears Housing Management 5 bedrooms
5 occupants
19th October 2027
31 Welbeck Terrace
Ashington
NE63 0JW
Mears Housing Management 6 bedrooms
6 occupants
19th March 2027
4/5 Dean Street
Hexham
NE46 1HG
Gap Supported Housing 7 bedrooms
7 occupants
14th August 2028