Extra help on rented housing

Sep 18 2008 by Emma Davison, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LANDLORDS and tenants will get extra help to avoid the pitfalls associated with being involved with a rented property.

Calderdale Council is encouraging people thinking of renting a property or setting up as a landlord to contact its Housing Advice Centre for free help and information.

Its housing advice team is on hand to help with a range of topics, from making sure a tenancy is set up properly to getting the right agreement in place, checking references, dealing with bonds, payments of rent, making sure landlords are aware of their duties and what can be expected from tenants in return.

For tenants, advice can include information about housing benefit levels, access to housing support or bonds, legal rights and tenants’ responsibilities.

If things are going wrong, the housing advice team can also give information to both parties about how to legally end tenancies, how to tackle anti-social behaviour and what help is available from the police, social services or environmental health.

The housing advice team are available on 01422 392460 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.