Our Private Housing team deal with improving standards and conditions in properties, both privately rented and owner occupied. For more information about the services we offer, please see the sections below or in the menu to the left of the page.
Private tenants
Information is available on maintenance and repairs, protecting your deposits, Carbon monoxide hazards and a very useful document that covers many aspects of your tenancy called 'Helping you find a home'. See also, grants for loft insulation.
Private Housing also respond to requests from tenants in private rented properties. These requests are prioritised according to their seriousness. You can read our policy statement in the documents below together with our published performance standards.
Homeseekers letting service
Primarily designed for landlords who need assistance in finding tenants for their properties.
Energy efficiency for homeowners
Hints and tips on efficiency savings, energy certificate obligations for landlords, and opportunities for grants for loft insulation for your private tenants.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Essential landlord information on the law, mandatory licensing, licensing fees, safety standards and student accreditation scheme.
Disable Facilities Grant
The Disabled Facilities Grant is available to private owners and tenants (or their children) who are experiencing difficulties getting around their homes or getting into and out of their homes. Some of the adaptations that can be considered include stair lifts, ramping, level access showers and making kitchens wheel chair accessible.
Deposit protection for landlords
From April 2007 landlords who take deposits from their tenants have to safeguard the money in an authorised scheme known as the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme.
Financial assistance for home owners
Due to a cut in Coalition Government funding the Home Improvement Loan we used to offer has ceased. We are looking into other financial assistance we may be able to offer going forward. More information can be found within.
Empty homes
There are approximately 1,000 homes in Southampton which are privately owned and are unoccupied. We have a designated Empty Homes Officer who is able to advise and assist owners to bring empty, privately owned, homes back into use.
Home survey to help with sponsoring immigrants
If you live in Southampton and want to sponsor someone applying for a visa for entry into the UK and they plan to live in Southampton, you may need a report on the suitability of your accommodation.
Enforcement policies
Our 'Private Housing Enforcement Policy' details how we regulate standards in private housing in Southampton. It also provides a background to the legislation and guidance on which it is based.
Southampton City Council
