Private Sector Housing

New houses count for less than one per cent of the total stock in our area and therefore innovative asset management to maintain and improve the quality of the existing stock in all tenures is fundamental in delivering good quality housing. There are significantly lower levels of social rented housing and higher levels of private sector housing in parts of York, North Yorkshire & East Riding than the Yorkshire and Humber region and England as a whole. It is imperative that we make best use of the owner occupied and private rented sectors to address local housing needs. Evidence suggests that an estimated 22-30% homes are non-decent in the private sector. Individual private sector stock condition surveys suggest that non-decency tends is more prevalent in dwellings that are:

• Private rented
• Constructed before 1919
• Occupied by vulnerable households and the elderly
• In urban areas
• Poorly converted to flats
• off the main gas networks

The need for regeneration is also important in specific locations within the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding, most critically in parts of Scarborough, East Riding and the City of York, but also in smaller pockets in other parts of the area.

The local authorities across York, North Yorkshire & East Riding have formed a Private Sector Housing Group to tackle issues of property condition and safety, specifically related to the private rented sector. This group is tasked to secure, manage and profile funding to deliver initiatives that will improve these homes. The group is made up of officers from each of the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding local authorities. Its work feeds into the Chief Housing Officers Group and the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Housing Board. The group:

• Receives, shares and comments on information relevant to private sector housing
• Contributes to regional and sub regional service development in relation to private housing
• Develops and promotes partnership working with key organisations.
• Offers advice and information on private sector housing issues to the Chief Housing Officer Group
• Acts as a recognised pressure group with regard to national policy.
• Lobbies for adequate resources for the private sector housing service.
• Provides peer support and shares knowledge and expertise.
• Acts as a 'sounding board' on policy proposals
• Acts as a 'signpost' into other service areas.

Should you wish to know more about the work of this group please contact Ruth Abbott at City of York Council Tel: 01904 554092 or email: ruth.abbott@york.gov.uk