Council unveils new support package for tenants and landlords to create better homes for all
Telford & Wrekin Council has unveiled a borough wide package of support for private tenants and landlords as part of its Better Homes For All programme.
The council approved the new Landlord and Tenant Support Package, which will give landlords and tenants the additional help they need and ensure the ‘Better Homes For All’ programme continues to go from strength-to-strength, at its cabinet meeting today (Thurs).
In addition, a Landlord & Tenant Support Co-ordinator is being appointed who will be the first point of contact for tenants and landlords under the new scheme.
This new support programme will replace the existing Landlord Accreditation Scheme and help to signpost local people to the services they need.
A dedicated webpage for landlords will also be created which will contain information about all aspects of tenancy support and property conditions and safety.
Landlords will also be given the opportunity to access training programmes instead of being issued with civil penalties for low level and first time housing offences.
The Landlord and Tenant Support package will be developed in consultation with partners which include the Wrekin Landlord Association and charitable and registered provider partners.
At cabinet, Telford & Wrekin Council also highlighted the successes of the existing Better Homes For All programme which was created in 2018 to make best use of and improve the quality of existing homes across Telford and Wrekin.
During the past two years during the Covid pandemic, the council has continued its ‘educate, encourage and enforce’ approach.
This has included supporting tenants and landlords through unprecedented challenges but continuing to take robust legal action against landlords who deliberately fail to meet their legal responsibilities.
So far, through Better Homes For All, there has been 1,500 requests for information, advice and support to tenants and landlords have been met.
The council has also participated in 18 Multi Agency Targeted Enforcement Strategy (MATES)
Operations, served over 400 enforcement notices and carried out over 450 property inspections linked with the Safer Streets programme.
A new Long Term Empty Property Strategy has been created which aims to bring 375 long term empties back into use while a new Affordable Warmth Strategy to tackle fuel poverty,
improve health and well-being and support Zero Carbon targets has been introduced.
Councillor Richard Overton (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Enforcement and Transport, said: “Better Homes For All continues to be a successful programme and underlines our commitment to working with landlords and tenants and improving the quality of homes across the borough.
“We acknowledge that many good landlords are providing valuable accommodation for our residents but we want to join up the range of advice and support available and ensure we are signposting people to the right services.
“The landlord and tenant support package will help to enhance the support that we provide and shows that we really are on your side – providing support to landlords and tenants to make Telford and Wrekin a better place to live.”
