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In this issue:
You may be eligible to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills.
You might get support if your home:
You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.
More details regarding the Great British Insulation Scheme webpage.
Stay Energy Safe is operated by Crimestoppers, who is working with the energy regulator Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) and energy companies, to track down and stop meter cheaters who put lives at risk in a misguided attempt to save money.
Energy theft is extremely dangerous and risks serious injuries to innocent people and major damage to property. The dangers and consequences of this criminal activity are too enormous to ignore. Please help all of us to stay energy safe by reporting suspicions of energy theft 100% anonymously. www.stayenergysafe.co.uk
Since October 2023 our Compliance Officer (Fire Safety) has inspected 37 high rise (over 18 metres) residential buildings to ensure that they meet Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
The Cladding Safety Scheme is a fund that addresses fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings. Further details about the scheme can be found online.
Landlords and tenants can raise any issues they are concerned about in a block to the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) for the building. The PAP must display their name and contact details in the building.
Coventry City Council want to work with landlords to provide long-term, sustainable private rented tenancies to the people of Coventry with a housing need.
The Council aims to match households seeking accommodation with private sector landlords, we want to strengthen our relationship and we are looking to improve the scheme to meet the Council, the landlord and customers’ needs.
We need your feedback and experience so we can get this right.
If you would like to help us shape the scheme please share your views, it should take no longer than 5 – 10 minutes to complete.
The Department for Transport recently published information around how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters to improve consumer safety.
Following extensive consultation with industry, guidance on battery safety for both e-scooters and e-bikes will raise awareness for owners on how to safely purchase an e-cycle or e-scooter, ensure it meets manufacturing requirements and is only bought from reputable sellers. The documents also cover safe storage and charging, the warning signs for fire risk and how to address them, and how to dispose of batteries responsibly.
The guidance also reminds people that e-scooters cannot be used legally on roads unless they are part of an official rental trial.
There is also a useful poster that can be downloaded and displayed within your property.
HMO licences are not transferable, therefore if a property with a HMO Licence has been sold, a licence holder has changed or if it is no longer an HMO, the licence must be revoked.
If an HMO application is still in progress but the property has been sold, then you should email hmo@coventry.gov.uk and inform us so that we can withdraw the HMO application.
When a licensed HMO has been sold, the licence holder should apply to revoke their licence. Otherwise, you will still be legally responsible for complying with the licence conditions and carrying out any works required by Improvement Notices. This could lead to confusion and possible legal action against you.
If a new licence application is not received from the new owners or landlord after the old licence has been revoked and it is still operating as an HMO then you could be at risk of serious consequences as detailed below:
- Prosecution and an unlimited fine
- Financial penalty notices of up to £30,000
- Rent repayment orders where you must repay the tenants their rent
- Interim management orders where the council takes over the HMO
- Being deemed not fit and proper and refused a licence.
On 1 December 2023, a new Statutory Instrument came into effect that treats HMOs as single dwellings for the purposes of Council Tax in England, and places liability for Council Tax payments on the owner of the HMO. This change covers only HMOs defined by Section 254 of the Housing Act 2004 – ie, houses rented to unrelated persons with shared amenities. It does not cover HMOs defined by Section 257 – ie, properties that have been wholly converted into self-contained flats.
Read further information about the changes.
We have been contacted by some landlords who have received Council Tax bills for their Section 257 properties as though they have been affected by these changes. Council Tax bands are set by the Valuation Office, which is a national body separate from the Council. Although the Council is a statutory billing authority and administers the collection of Council Tax, it has no power or ability to set or amend Council Tax rates. If you believe that your property is being charged incorrectly, please appeal directly to the Valuation Office.
Unfortunately, neither this department nor the Council Tax department is able to alter Council Tax bands.
Please note that properties occupied wholly by students in full time education are still exempt from Council Tax payments; this has not been affected by the new SI.
A project from Coventry City Council is looking for Landlords who may have properties suitable for previous victims of domestic abuse. Please read on if this is of interest.
Coventry City Council strives to create a city that reduces the harm caused by domestic abuse; to support and help those who are experiencing it and also support those who inflict the abuse, to enable them to break the cycle. Coventry's vison is to reduce the harm caused by domestic abuse. We want to help and support victims, but we also want to change the behaviour of those who inflict the abuse, to break the cycle and reduce the likelihood of further incidents, either within an existing relationship, a new partner or family member.
Julie Nugent, Chief Executive Coventry City Council.
"One of the main priorities for Coventry City Council is tackling domestic abuse. Whilst we have made much progress there is still more to do. As domestic abuse is so prevalent, we need to make sure support is available to victims and those who wish to change their behaviours”.
We are looking for any landlord who would be interested in working alongside us to offer possible private accommodation to previous victims of domestic abuse who have been through refuge and had a support plan but are now ready to move back into the community.
Is this something you would consider? We can offer basic training on domestic abuse awareness to increase your understanding. We also offer the Sanctuary Scheme which can provide equipment e.g. door and window locks to properties (note certain criteria applies). We would work with you to ensure you felt supported to ensure the safe provision of housing for victims in the city. If you would like to know more, please contact Jayne.ross@coventry.gov.uk or Tracy.richards@coventry.gov.uk
We want to work with you to improve housing in the city. If you want to get in touch with any questions please, contact the team:
Email: hmo@coventry.gov.uk
Telephone: 024 7697 5467
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