We provide advice and assistance on a wide range of housing related problems. Please note that the Council houses formerly owned by Stafford Borough Council are now owned and managed by Stafford and Rural Homes.
To make an online request for information please click here.
Many people living in accommodation in the private sector, are unsure of their rights and where they can go for help. Also, many landlords renting out accommodation are not aware that we can offer impartial advice regarding problems they may experience with their tenants.
We provide advice on:
This includes notices given to tenants because a tenancy is coming to an end, tenancy agreements that have expired or are expiring, and issues where tenants may have breached the terms of their tenancy agreement (for example, by non payment of rent).
In most situations, a landlord must follow a set procedure if he wants a tenant to pay more rent.
The Council Deposit Guarantee Scheme will help those in housing difficulty to secure accommodation in the private rented sector. It will do this by offering a guarantee in place of a cash deposit for the duration of the tenancy. The Housing Options Team has created information leaflets about the scheme for landlords (pdf 1.06mb) and tenants (pdf 1.26mb).
People living in private rented accommodation can often have problems with disrepair and many landlords and tenants are not aware of each other's obligations. There are also some schemes available to people that own their homes. The Housing Standards Team have created a Complaints about Repairs (pdf 868kb) leaflet for information about repairs and what the Council can do to help.
At the end of a tenancy, deposit money may be withheld for different reasons. Advice can be given to landlords and tenants in relation to this.
Latest News - Tenancy Deposit Schemes (pdf 82kb)
Many people are not aware of their rights when they separate from a partner. Advice can be given regarding their housing situation and any benefits they may be entitled to. There is a free service provided by counsellors from Relate (the recognised experts in relationship counselling) known as Support Through Counselling (pdf 588kb).
Domestic violence is physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. It is called domestic violence because it often takes place in the home, behind closed doors. It can affect anyone irrespective of gender, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion, cultural background, disability, marital status, age or sexual orientation. Domestic violence is destructive, insidious and perpetuates a cycle of abuse. As a society domestic violence is rooted in our social and cultural structures. The Housing Options Team have created a Domestic Violence (pdf 645kb) leaflet which it aims to give a brief outline of the options available to a person experiencing Domestic Violence and where to go to for help.
People fall into mortgage arrears for many different reasons, such as unemployment or health problems. There are various options available which can prevent someone from losing their home, even if court proceedings have already begun. The Housing Options Team have created a Mortgage Arrears (pdf 634kb) leaflet which is a basic guide to your options and rights regarding mortgage arrears. It provides details of the process involved for repossession of your property. Should you get into any difficulty with your mortgage payments, it is always advisable to act quickly and get professional legal advice.
Problems can be experienced with the Freeholder, for example, in relation to Service Charges.
Many people are not aware of the wide range of benefits they may be entitled to. For example, checks can be carried out for people wanting to return to work if they are unsure how their benefits will be affected.
Advice can be given at any time if people think they may be homeless in the future, or where they are already homeless. The Housing Options Team have created a Housing Options (pdf 776kb) leaflet to help with your choices if you become homeless.
There are a range of options which are available to people who are looking for alternative housing.
If you have a property to rent within the Stafford Borough Council area, there are a variety of schemes available to assist you.
