Privately rented housing

There might be times in your life when, through no fault of your own, you are not able to
remain in your accommodation.

The council has powers to deal with disrepair issues in privately rented properties where landlords have failed to act.

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property which is occupied by a number of people that are not living together as a family unit.

Rats and mice are common in our towns and in rural areas. They carry disease and can cause considerable damage to property so it is important to control them.

Landlords must ensure that any rented property has an appropriate number of smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms.

Currently, privately rented properties must achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E at the minimum.

Tenants in a privately rented home must be provided with a copy of a satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) by their landlord. This must have been carried out in the last five years.

Safe Suffolk Renters works in East and West Suffolk Council areas, and aims to build trust, improve housing standards, and foster long-term sustainability in East and West Suffolk.

If a letting agent does not resolve a complaint, private renters can complain to an independent letting agent redress scheme.

Enforcement action taken by the council for the failure to licence properties and breaches of housing legislation.