These pages will describe the actions being taken in Newark and Sherwood to improve private sector housing conditions, especially for vulnerable households.
On July 18th 2002, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister introduced the Regulatory Reform Order on Housing Renewal, which brought to an end the bulk of the established national framework for the provision of grants to improve the private sector housing stock.
This new Order provides broader discretion to Local Housing Authorities to change their grant policy and to tailor our actions to ensure the problems affecting local housing conditions and needs are considered and are at the heart of any adopted housing policy.
In addition to allowing a local perspective it allows the Council to consider national aims and targets, particularly in regard to the Decent Homes Standard, and to include such aims within our local objectives. Newark and Sherwood District Council embraces the challenges set by central Government and are determined to deliver an effective policy by targeting resources where they are most needed.
Newark and Sherwood District Council published a Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy in 2003 and has monitored the progress of improvement in the private housing sector to ensure that the measures introduced were effective. Since that time the emphasis on the Decent Homes standard has increased and detailed stock condition data from a recently completed survey has prompted a policy review. The amendments implemented by this policy revision will continue to ensure that resources are used to their maximum and decent homes and vulnerable households are central to our actions within the private housing sector.
This policy and strategy has been developed with the principals of Best Value in mind and in consultation with organisations, individuals and key stakeholders. It also demonstrates the Council’s recognition that although the responsibility to maintain a home must rest with the homeowner there are a significant number of vulnerable households who will require some assistance to ensure their homes are maintained to a decent standard. This stance is designed to mirror that of the Government’s nationally identified priority of Decent Homes for All irrespective of tenure, and should ensure that the Authority is in step with national policy and has a head start in terms of resource allocation.
Please download our decent homes standard guide.