Private Housing Conditions and Standards

Swindon Borough Councils Residential Services Team deal with many housing related matters and in doing so provide assistance and advice to both tenants and landlords of privately rented accommodation as well as to many owner-occupiers.  The team also acts as advisors to the Housing section in assessing disrepair and overcrowding in Council owned stock, as well as investigating drainage problems and offering a pest control service across the borough.   Whilst the work of the team is varied, our principle aim is to ensure that a person's living accommodation is safe, healthy and suitable for their needs.

This may be achieved by providing advice or financial assistance in the form of grants. However, there will be times when housing standards have to be enforced under housing, or other legislation.

In all circumstances the team is committed to providing a quality service.  For more information on our standards of service, visit the Service Standards page from the 'Related Pages' navigation bar on the right.

Request Form

A service request form is available for you to contact us to notify us of an issue you are concerned about, or to request a service from us:

Online Form

You can contact us through our online form:

Residential Service Request Form

Downloadable Form

The form is available as a downloadable pdf file:

Residential Services Request Form

The specific services provided include:

• Offering advice and encouragement to all housing providers so as to ensure high standards of housing.
• Investigation of drainage problems in private drains and sewers.
• Provision of a pest control service, dealing with pests of public health significance.

• Responding to complaints of unsatisfactory or unsuitable housing

• Enforcing legal housing standards using a wide range of statutory powers

• The routine inspection of all known houses in multiple occupation, driven by a risk assessment programmed

• The routine inspection of residential mobile home sites to ensure compliance with licence conditions

• Inspection and Accreditation of all private sector accommodation that is provided or promoted by both Swindon Borough Council's Housing and Social Services Department and other housing providers such as Swindon College

• Provision of advice and financial assistance to disabled occupiers who require adaptations to their homes

• Encouraging the rehabilitation of unfit housing by all means, including the offer of financial grant assistance

• Provision of financial assistance to elderly or other vulnerable occupiers to enable the carrying out of urgently needed repairs to enable them to remain in their homes

• Encourage improvements to the thermal efficiency of housing, including offering financial assistance, advice and other promotional activities

• Monitor the overall improvement of home energy efficiency throughout the Borough

• Carry out routine inspections of guest houses and other bed and breakfast establishments promoted by the Council

• Encourage the re-use of void properties for housing purposes

• Maintain a regular forum for dialogue between private sector landlords and the Council

• Generally maximize the availability of quality private rented accommodation

• Promotion of good standards and practices in all areas of housing