Housing pages

Apply for HMO licence

HMO application process

Register of Licensed HMOs

Apply for house of multiple occupation (HMO) licence

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property occupied by 3 or more people (including children) who form more than 1 family and share either a kitchen or a bathroom. A family includes co-habiting partners. (more…)

• Essex HMO amenity standards (pdf 283KB)
• LACORS –

Advice for landlords

Energy performance certificate

Energy performance certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency and environmental impact of your property. It is rated on a scale from A to G (A the most efficient and G the least efficient). From the 1st April 2018 there is now a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). (more…)

Advice for landlords

Energy performance certificate

Advice for landlords

Guidance on for landlords on how to let and to lease has been produced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and is available through GOV.UK

Read advice on how to let through GOV.UK

Read advice on how to lease through GOV.UK
Landlord Associations

Several recognised Landlord Associations exist to provide information, (more…)

Buying or selling a park home

Park home and caravan and camping site licensing

Park home and caravan and camping site licensing

To run a park home site, caravan or camping site you need a licence from the local authority. Conditions may be attached to a licence to cover any of the following: (more…)

• Restricting when caravans can be on the site for human habitation or restricting the number of caravans that can be on the site at any one time
• Controlling the types of caravans on the site
• Controlling the positioning of the caravans or regulating the use of other structures and vehicles including tents
• To ensure steps are taken to enhance the land,

How to complain

Tenants handbook

Tenant participation

Types of tenancy
Housing management

Adapting your council home

Decorating and improvements to your council home

Damp and mould in council homes

Planned maintenance works

Our housing service standards

Pet ownership in council homes

Damp and mould in council homes

There are several reasons your home might be suffering from damp and mould. (more…)

Buying or selling a park home

Park home and caravan and camping site licensing

Buying or selling a park home

Information on buying and selling a park home, also known as a mobile home.

Buying a park home

Information for anyone intending to buy a park home on a protected site in England.

• GOV.UK – Buying a park home: factsheet

Selling or gifting a park home

Information for owners of park homes on protected sites in England about selling or gifting a home. (more…)

Advice for private tenants

Housing conditions and enforcement

Private sector empty properties

Empty properties

Each property that stands empty is a wasted resource.

The Epping Forest district has a growing demand for homes for rent or purchase and we want empty properties brought back into use as quickly as possible. They can cause problems in relation to anti-social behaviour that affects the local community. (more…)

Advice for private tenants

Housing conditions and enforcement

Private sector empty properties

Housing conditions and enforcement

Privately rented homes need to be safe for residents to live in, we look at

• Disrepair
• Dampness
• Overcrowding
• Fire precautions
• Missing amenities

We use enforcement procedures to achieve statutory housing and environmental standards. (more…)

Advice for private tenants

Housing conditions and enforcement

Damp and mould in private rented homes

Private sector empty properties

Damp and mould in private rented homes

There are several reasons your home might be suffering from damp and mould. It is surprising how few reasons are related to major building defects.

This page is for tenants who privately rent their home. (more…)

Advice for private tenants

Housing conditions and enforcement

Private sector empty properties

Advice for private tenants

To help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities when renting in the private sector GOV.uk has produced some helpful guidance on how to rent.

Download GOV.UK’s guidance on how to rent (pdf)

It explains the questions that tenants should ask when thinking about renting a property, (more…)