Grant funding helps drive improvements in private rented housing sector

Dacorum Borough Council has received grant funding of £69,017 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to gain further information about private rented housing in Dacorum.

Dacorum Borough Council was one of only two local authorities in Hertfordshire that was successful in its bid for funding through the MHCLG’s Innovation and Enforcement grant, which aims to raise standards in the private rented sector.

The grant will help fund a 12-week project, in collaboration with BRE Housing and Energy Group, to provide detailed information on the size, location and condition of all non-Council owned properties in the sector. The findings of the report will help shape the Council’s Housing Strategy, key priorities and the development of relevant policies.

Cllr Margaret Griffiths, Portfolio Holder for Housing said: ‘I’m pleased that we have been able to secure this grant funding to improve the intelligence on the condition of the private rented sector properties, so that work can be targeted to support tenants and landlords. If landlords persist in renting properties in poor condition enforcement action will be pursued.’

Further information for landlords and private tenants is available on Dacorum Borough Council’s website: www.dacorum.gov.uk/PRS.