Private Housing

Services for the Private Sector

The Private Sector Housing team offer a range of services to private occupiers, landlords and tenants.
From advice on safety hazards and energy efficiency in dwellings to the provision of assistance for adaptations for disabled occupants,and monitoring the suitability of accommodation in the rented sector and enforcing appropriate legislation, we aim to promote the best use and maintain the standard of dwellings throughout the Winchester district.

Housing Safety

We enforce by informal or formal means either reactively or through proactive schedules. We inspect domestic dwellings throughout the district (there are over 37000 in the private sector) to identify home hazards and implement the most appropriate course of action. We will also provide assistance & information to landlords and tenants.

HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupancy)

There are hundreds of such properties throughout the district that provide accommodation to a wide range of occupants. The City Council will inspect such properties and, where necessary, will take action to enforce the required standards. We also provide advice & guidance to landlords and letting agencies; and consultations with the Fire Service. High risk HMOs (3 storeys or more with 5 or more unreleated occupants) will require a License from the Council.

Disabled Facilites Grants

A Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant to help people living in the private sector with the cost of adapting their homes to enable them to continue living independantly. This is a mandatory grant for works that have been recommended as essential and necessary by an Occupational Therapist.

Home Improvement Grants

Grant aided assistance may be provided for remedying safety hazards / serious disrepair to properties, we will arrange this through our Home Improvement Agency. Priority is given to elderly, vulnerable and low income households.

Mobile Homes

We will enforce and monitor general amenity and fire safety standards on all licensed multiple and single sites. We provide guidance and information to site owners and residents. We have 13 multiple parks (650 homes) and about 30 single licensed sites

Home Improvement Agency

We work in partnership with In Touch Support, who provide advice, support and assistance to vulnerable housholds on low income or benefits, giving priority to the elderly and vulnerable residents with renovation and repair works, insulation and security issues

Homecheck

Free home safety and security checks for the over 65's.
We also undertake a similar scheme called 'Under 5s' for home safety for young family households.

Landlord Acceditation

This voluntary scheme is primarily aimed at ensuring a decent standard of accommodation is provided by landlords renting to students.

For more information on any of the above, please contact:

Private Sector Housing
Winchester City Council
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LJ

Tel:01962 848483 or E-mail: housing@winchester.gov.uk