Private Sector Housing

If you live in rented accommodation you should be able to expect your home to be in good repair, warm, secure and free from health and safety hazards. Halton Borough Council is responsible for the enforcement of private sector housing standards within Halton.

Some of the issues they deal with include:

  • Providing general advice and guidance to tenants and landlords on a wide range of issues
  • Works to improve the standards and conditions of privately rented housing in Halton
  • Provides licencing services for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
  • Dealing with empty properties
  • Dealing with landlord harassment or unlawful eviction.

If your landlord refuses to carry out essential repairs and they have not responded to your spoken and written requests, contact us.  We can talk to them on your behalf or take action against them. We may also send out an officer to inspect the property.

Further information on the rights of tenants and the responsibility of landlords is available at; https://www.gov.uk/private-renting

Houses in multiple occupation​

A House in Multiple Occupation is a property with more than 2 residents who do not form the same household and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

A House in Multiple Occupation with 5 or more ​​tenants must by law be licensed by the local authority. This is known as Mandatory licensing.

HMO licenses last for 5 years but must be renewed if there is a change in ownership.

The council will ensure all HMO properties comply with the mandatory standards.

Further details on the mandatory requirements and license conditions applicable in Halton can be found in the document Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Conditions and Amenity Standards document

HMO Licence Application​

HMO Licence Application Form »

Please follow the link to pay and apply for a HMO license. Please select the appropriate number of tenants you require on the license from the drop down menu and complete the form in order to apply.

Officers can give advice and guidance to landlords and tenants. Please contact us for more details.

In addition to mandatory licensing local authorities have the discretionary power to introduce additional or selective licensing in relation to private rental properties or smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation. To date Halton Council has not introduced additional or selective licensing in any areas of the borough.

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