Housing Service Standards

Private Sector Housing Standards
Accessing the Service: Please contact housing services 01895 837310 or complete our  CONTACT form on-line .
If you are a landlord or a tenant we can offer advice and action on housing conditions.

The Service you can expect

• We will respond to service requests within three days.
• We will advise tenants and landlords regarding works that may be needed to make their rented homes safe and habitable and if necessary, can require the landlord to carry out these works by service of a legal notice.
• We will visit you to assess the problem or to see what works are required. If necessary, your landlord will be contacted, usually by letter, and requested to carry out the work. If the work is not commenced in a reasonable time, or not completed satisfactorily, the Council can serve a legal notice on the landlord. If the work is still not carried out, the Council can have the work done in default and recover their expenses from the landlord.

Housing Strategy and Research
Accessing the Service: please contact us on 01895 837364, or complete our CONTACT form online.
The council has produced a ‘Fit for Purpose’ Housing Strategy and regularly commissions housing related research projects

The Service you can expect
Printed copies of our Housing Strategy and other strategies are available on request.
Updates on current research projects will be given on request.

Private Rent Scheme
Accessing the Service: please contact us on  01895 837263, 01895 837305, or complete our CONTACT form on-line.

We offer a rent deposit guarantee facility to encourage private sector Landlords to accept as tenants, applicants introduced by the Council. Applicants may be key workers or have a high priority on the housing register; realistic rents are achieved and the Landlord is not charged for the service.

The service you can expect
The Council will offer advice and assistance to the landlord to help get the tenancy started ,provide a rent deposit guarantee facility and prepare the necessary legal tenancy and rent deposit agreements
We will offer applicants with a high priority on the housing register the option of being introduced to a private sector Landlord, and we offer a rent deposit guarantee facility to support the tenancy. The tenant is party to the legal guarantee with the Council and Landlord which requires the Council to look for recompense from the tenant, if a claim is made by a Landlord because of a loss of rent or damage to the property.
Experience has shown that this is a highly successful three way partnership.

Disabled Facilities Grant, Home Repairs Assistance, Home Renovation Loans
Accessing the Service; please contact us on 01895 837308, or complete our CONTACT form on-line.

We invest £350,000 per annum to tackle poor housing conditions. We want to help meet the needs of disabled and elderly people, and improve unfit housing and poor energy efficiency.

The Service you can expect

• Initial enquiries will be dealt with in 7 working days.
• We will tell you if you have a contribution to make towards any grant aided works within 14 working days of receiving a completed preliminary test of resources form. If your grant application can proceed we will send you a full application pack within working 14 days.
• The Home Improvement officer will be available at the Council's offices or by phone to help with making an application.
• In appropriate circumstances, and only if you agree to it, the Council may get the Anchor Staying Put Home Improvement Agency to act on your behalf.
• We will process completed grant applications within 15 working days and notify you in writing of our decision.

Illegal Evictions
Accessing the Service: please contact Housing Services team on 01895 837200, or complete the CONTACT form on-line.

As a statutory housing authority South Bucks District Council has a duty to investigate cases of illegal eviction and alleged harassment by landlords.

The Service you can expect

• We will respond to queries within 2 days
• We will investigate and discuss issues with the Council's Legal Officer to try to resolve matters
• We may refer clients to a Citizens Advice Bureau or to Shelter for independent legal and housing advice

Energy Efficiency Advice
Accessing the Service: please contact us on 01895 837308, or complete our CONTACT form online .

We can offer advice on energy efficiency and how to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

The Service you can expect

• Advice from a officer qualified in energy efficiency matters
• If you need further help we can refer you to specialist Agencies for further advice and assistance, e.g. Bucks Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, Warm Front, Southern Bucks Home Improvement Agency