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Private Housing Residents

A decent place in which to live is a basic need for everyone.

Privately owned houses must either be made fit by improvement or repair, or if that is no longer possible, demolished. In urban areas the lack of accommodation can result in overcrowding and multiple occupation of houses by many individuals sharing basic facilities.

A survey of the condition of the housing stock within the Brentwood Borough is usually carried out every five years - a copy of the latest report can be downloaded here:

• House Condition Survey 2005

The Environmental Health Service seeks to ensure that such properties are brought up to an acceptable standard for habitation and deals with a number of issues relating to Private Sector Housing, both for owner-occupied and tenanted properties. 

Grants may be available towards the cost of improving unfit housing stock or for adaptations for disabled people. You can find out more by following this link:

• Housing Grants

A home improvement agency has been established, Papworth Trust. You can find out more about the assistance that can be offered to elderly and/or disabled home owners from this link:

• Papworth Trust

Energy Performance Certificates will be required whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold.  Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. Energy efficiency measures and advice is available here:

• Energy efficiency 

Camping and caravan sites - both residential and holiday - are also inspected by Environmental Health Officers to ensure that the accommodation provided is reasonable and reaches the required standard.

Legislation introducing a new risk assessment tool, the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), came into effect on 6.4.06.  For information about how it works, who it affects and how it is enforced, download the following documents:

• Housing, Health and Safety Rating System
• HHSRS - the Hazard Profiles

The Council holds a Private Sector Landlord Forum and also has a system for licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

If you require further information please email envhealth@brentwood.gov.uk or telephone (01277) 312504.