However, there have also been a few misunderstandings (and more than a few deliberate misrepresentations) about how properties in the private-rented sector in Blackhall Colliery are owned, managed and let.
In response to those residents who have taken the time to contact me directly with their comments and queries I’ve explained that Durham County Council is not a housing authority. It does not offer homes to rent. As a direct consequence DCC has no role in vetting prospective tenants before they move into private rented properties in the village. To make matters worse, the council has only very limited powers at the moment in addressing problems associated with irresponsible private sector landlords, the condition of their properties or the conduct of their tenants.
However, the council is currently holding a public consultation exercise on its intention to introduce a county-wide Selective Licensing Scheme (SLS) which is intended to address that anomaly and bring some much needed regulation to the private-rented sector (please see post dated Monday 22 June 2020 for the latest details). There have been one or two delays during the process, caused most recently by Covid-19 restrictions, and these are largely beyond the control of the council. When I first raised the prospect of a SLS at a PACT meeting in 2018 I was warned by housing officers at the time that there was a rigid statutory process to be followed and that progression towards implementing a SLS would be complex, arduous and time consuming - and that has certainly proved to be the case (please see posts dated Tuesday 15 May 2018 and Friday 17 May 2019 for background information).
One or two comments on social media recently have made specific reference to an address in Hepscott Avenue. This generated a number of comments which require a response to set the record straight. I contacted the housing office at county hall some time ago to ask for clarity on the background to this particular property. This is the response I received by return:
With regard to Nacro taking the property in Hepscott Avenue, unfortunately the Council has no jurisdiction over where they operate their business from. We do try to work with companies offering this type of accommodation to try to ensure that they have as little impact on the communities where they are situated as possible. The Private Rented Sector team did speak with Nacro about incidents at this property earlier this year and were not aware of any further incidents being reported since then.
Some additional comments posted recently on social media suggest there is still some confusion about who to contact when there are crime, anti-social or environmental issues in the community. I have reproduced below the guidance received from the authorities:
In relation to reporting incidents, anything of a criminal nature should be reported to the Police on 101 (non-urgent) or 999 (emergency). Residents reporting ASB should do so either by accessing ‘Make a Complaint’ via the DCC website at www.durham.gov.uk or by telephoning Customer Services on 03000 260 000 who will report it via the CRM system. Fly-tipping or rubbish in yards should also be reported via Customer Services and will be directed to the Wardens, and any abandoned/empty properties causing a blight on the neighbourhood should be reported to the Empty Homes team at EmptyHomes@durham.gov.uk
If residents prefer of course I’m always happy to help wherever possible and I can be contacted direct at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk