Council housing

Communal heating charges: Communal heating charges for council properties are divided among all residents on an estate, the proportion is added to their rent account.

Council estates - parking: The local authority is responsible for determining parking regulations (residents and visitor parking) on council property and for enforcement of those regulations.

Council housing - current tenancy arrears: The local authority deals with tenants who are in rent arrears by arranging mutual repayment of arrears by instalments. If the arrears continue to rise the local authority may take the tenant to court.

Council housing - decent homes: The Government requires all local housing authorities to achieve a new 'decent homes' standard by 2010 and to consult with tenants, leaseholders and other stakeholders about how best to achieve this and other wishes for service improvements. In Scotland local authorities and registered social landlords are expected to ensure that their stock meets the Scottish Housing Quality Standards by 2015 as set by the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland.

Council housing - evictions: If a tenant fails to pay rent or breaches any aspects of their tenancy agreement the local authority has the right to evict the tenant by applying to the court to repossess the property.

Council housing - home modernisation: All Councils have been set a target of raising the standard of all its properties by the year 2010 by the Government in England and Wales or by 2015 by the Scottish Executive in Scotland . Improvements should include double-glazed windows, replacement kitchens and bathrooms, updated heating systems.

Council housing - information and advice

Council housing - insurance claims: Council tenants may make insurance claims against the council for any damage that the council causes to the tenants' possessions, or injury to the tenant or members of their family. This includes damage caused by contractors working on behalf of the council.

Council housing - modernisation schemes: For council owned properties which are particularly old the council will implement a modernisation scheme to bring the property up to acceptable standards. This may involve rewiring, new windows, new doors etc.

Council housing - rents: Every council tenant must pay rent for their property. Rent is usually payable weekly and may include other regular or communal charges associated with the property. The local authority will help tenants to claim any available assistance with paying their rent.

Council housing - squatters and unauthorised occupants: The local authority deals with squatters and unauthorised occupants in council property and will take action against a person who is squatting or who has unauthorised occupants in empty properties.

Council housing - tenancy issues: As well as officers taking repair reports, collecting rents and other payments, managing rent arrears and dealing with breaches of the tenancy agreement; local estate staff can also help and advise on a number of other issues including moving, adaptations and multiple tenancies

Council tenants - advice and support: A local authority will provide existing tenants with advice and assistance on matters such as rents, transfers, mutual exchanges and general matters relating to tenancy. This may also include advocacy where necessary.

Home exchange: This service provides lists of tenants wishing to move, either within the area or to other areas. Existing tenants can exchange their home with another tenant provided the landlord agrees the mutual exchange.

Housing - alterations by tenants: A tenant who wishes to carry out improvements and alterations to their local authority property must request permission from the local authority.

Housing - support to tenants: The aim of the service is to provide support to new tenants. A support worker will be assigned to each individual who will work towards helping the tenant to live independently.

Housing allocations - allocation system: The local authority or Registered Social Landlord uses a housing point system as a guide to priority when allocating housing. The points system reflects the current situation or condition in which an applicant lives.

Housing allocations - change of tenancy: Dealing with requests to change the terms of a tenancy for existing tenants. This covers transfer of tenancies, requests for joint tenancy, succession to tenancy.

Housing allocations - information and advice: The local authority is responsible for providing information and support for local citizens on the process of applying for council accommodation. This may include publication of the housing register, information on allocation priorities, advice on how to apply etc.

Housing allocations - registering for a property: The local authority processes applications to go on the housing register and allocates points to prospective tenants according to their current circumstances. The criteria under which an authority are likely to accept/reject applications to go on the register are published together with information on the application procedure.

Housing allocations - rehousing decision appeal: An applicant who has been refused a place on the housing register, who is unhappy with their allocation of housing points or who has been suspended from the waiting list can ask the local authority to review their decision. The authority should publish details of their appeals procedure.

Housing applications

Housing repairs - communal areas: The local authority deals with repairs to communal areas within council accommodation such as communal lighting in a block of flats, or the communal drainpipes to a block of garages.

Housing repairs - council property: The council are generally responsible for structural repairs to council property, for repairs to essential supplies (water, gas, electricity etc.) or any repairs where they may be a risk to health or safety. Where the damage has been caused by the resident they may be asked to pay for the repairs.

Housing repairs - decoration and disturbance allowances: A new or existing tenant may be eligible for a decoration or disturbance allowance where the council need to carry out major repairs or redecoration work to a property whilst the tenant is still living there.

Housing repairs - overdue repairs - discretionary allowance: Provision of a discretionary allowance to tenants where it has not been possible to carry out essential repairs to their home or to communal areas around their home within a reasonable or agreed timeframe.

Housing repairs - rechargeable repairs: Where a property requires repair as the result of damage or negligence caused by the tenant the local authority will charge for the cost of work to rectify the problem.

Introductory council tenancies: A new tenancy in local authority property does not generally become secure until 12 months after it starts. If at any time before this 12 month period ends the tenant misbehaves the local authority can initiate proceedings to evict the tenant. In Scotland a Scottish short secure tenancy is a short term or probationary tenancy agreement which can be given to tenants by a council, housing association or housing co-op. SSSTs are offered: for lets for a trial period, after which your tenancy may be upgraded to a Scottish secure tenancy, or for temporary lets.

Lighting - council communal flats: The local authority is responsible for repairs to communal areas in blocks of flats including stairs, door entry systems, communal lighting, landings, communal windows, courtyards and sheds.

Rent setting: The local authority is responsible for setting the level of rent based on how much it needs to spend on services for its tenants. Rents should be published giving reasonable notice of any changes (usually at least one month).

Services and communal repairs: When a council property has been purchased in a leasehold agreement by the tenant the local authority remains responsible for carrying out repairs and maintenance in communal areas and structural and exterior repairs. The leaseholder is expected to contribute a share of the cost.

Sheltered housing - council tenants: Accommodation in sheltered housing is unfurnished properties specially designed or adapted for elderly people. Current council tenants may be eligible for sheltered housing according to age and needs. The council carry out an assessment of applicants and maintain a waiting list until suitable properties become available.

Social housing policy: The needs, resources, options and priorities for housing in the borough

Surveying - major repairs: The local authority is under a duty to gain access to properties to undertake surveys for number of reasons such as major repairs and to carry out specialist surveys.

Tenant participation: Tenant participation is the full involvement of tenants in how their homes and estates are managed, with the aim of improving housing services and improving the quality of life in local communities.