Council steps in to help elderly couple after catalogue of problems found in private rented house

Our officers visited the property after noticing its dilapidated condition during a walkabout in an area covered by our selective licensing scheme.

Rotten windowsills and no smoke alarms

They found a hole in the back door, interior doors missing, an absence of smoke alarms, and a bathroom windowsill so rotten that one officer put their finger through it.

The tenants, an elderly couple in their 70s, were reluctant to accept help at first but after discussions, our officers have raised concerns with their landlord.

Improvements now being made

A range of improvements is now ongoing, including new windows and doors, the removal of polystyrene tiles from two hallways and the fitting of smoke alarms.

As one of the tenants has mobility problems, our officers have arranged an assessment to see if they'd be eligible for a stair lift to be installed.

Officers have also helped the couple claim more than £100 per month extra in benefits they didn't realise they were entitled to.

Works being done at landlord's cost

Councillor James Rowlandson, our Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: "People renting their homes privately have every right to expect a decent standard of accommodation, and our selective licensing scheme gives us more powers to hold landlords and management agents accountable for the condition of their properties in the areas it covers.

"In this case, we've stepped in to help two vulnerable tenants and engaged the landlord to make sure they make the necessary improvements to the property. This will all be done at the landlord's cost and if the work is not completed within a reasonable timescale we can use the enforcement powers at our disposal.

"Wherever possible, we do try to resolve problems informally and with the cooperation of the landlord. But in cases where landlords fail to engage with us, or to comply with the steps they need to take to rectify any breaches to their licence conditions in a timely manner, we will take more formal action."

Our selective licensing scheme

The selective licensing scheme in County Durham was launched in April last year and covers around 29,000 homes in 103 defined areas - that's 42 per cent of all private rented homes in the county.