You may feel that you cannot continue to live in a property because of its state of repair.

All private tenants have rights to have repairs carried out, no matter what type of contract they have, so you will not necessarily have to move if repairs are needed.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) 2005 is also now effective (introduced by the Housing Act 2004). This is a way of assessing potential risks to the health and safety of people living in any form of housing.

Any property that comes to the Local Authority's attention, through a complaint for example, can be assessed. Talk to the Council if you have asked the landlord/landlady to put something right and (s)he hasn't done so.   Authorities do not have to inspect every property in their area but will inspect if they have a reason to do so. Authorities also have a duty to keep the housing in their area under review.

The Local Authority has a duty to take the 'most appropriate action' in relation to hazards they find. They will try and deal with problems informally at first. 'Appropriate action' could be to serve a notice for the landlord to carry out improvements to the property, for example to install central heating or insulation, fix a rail to steep stairs, or mend a leaking roof.

If it is considered the most appropriate action, local authorities can do any of the following:

1. Serve an improvement notice requiring work to be done (the most likely action);

2. Make a 'prohibition order', which closes the whole or part of a property, or restricts the number of people allowed to live in it (but bear in mind this action may affect your ability to stay there);

3. Serve a hazard awareness notice;

4. Take emergency repair action

5. Make an Emergency Prohibition Order

6. Make a Demolition Order (meaning the property would be knocked down)

7. Include the property in a clearance area (a whole area identified for demolition)

The owner, landlord, or managing agent is responsible for making repairs.

If the landlord claims that they need to evict you in order to carry out the work, the Council could consider using powers under the The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002. These powers allow the Council to consider paying renovation grants, and ensure that the person occupying the property can return following work. The applicant may move out for a short period whilst work is carried out.

Elderly Home Owners

Financial and practical help is available for older people who need to carry out repairs and improvements to their homes. Local councils can offer grants or loans for both small and large repairs. The help you can get depends on whether you are a home-owner or a tenant. In many areas there are home improvement agencies which can help you apply for local council help and assist you through the whole process of getting the work done.

The section below looks at grants for home repairs and improvements.

Local authority help in Wales

In the past, local councils could offer a number of grants to help householders improve their living conditions. However, local councils now have new powers, which mean that they can be much more flexible in the help they offer.

Your local council can help to improve your living conditions by:

• offering you a loan or a grant;

• providing equipment or materials; or

• offering you advice.

It can set its own conditions for who gets help - for example, whether or not to means-test people applying for grants (this means looking at your income and savings to decide if you need help).

Each local council has to publish a policy explaining:

• what kind of help it may give;

• who is entitled;

• how to apply;

• how to complain; and

• what advice and information is available to help you access grants and loans (eg from a local home improvement agency - see above).

You should be able to get a copy of the full policy from your local council, local library, Citizens Advice Bureau or home improvement agency. A summary of the policy should also be available on request. The local council can make a reasonable charge if it sends it to you by post. Contact your local housing department to find out more.

If you do want help from your local council to repair, improve or renovate your home, it is important that you do not carry out any work until you have been in touch with the local council.