Advice for Private Landlords

Private landlords play an important role in providing housing in Solihull. 

A Landlords Forum meets twice a year and this is organised by the Council and the National Landlords Association. All landlords, prospective landlords and agents are welcome to attend.

The next Landlords Forum is on Wednesday 12 June 2013, at the Regency Corus Hotel on the Stratford Road. The Forum start time is 6pm. There is free parking available.

The Council is keen to support landlords.  Some important contact points are listed below to help landlords tackle issues that they may face.

Green Deal - Solihull's Energy Pioneers Project 

Signing-up to a Green Deal could make your rental property cosier and cheaper to run.  This would make it more attractive to tenants at little or no cost to you.  More information is available on the attachment in the right hand panel. To find out if you qualify and to book an assessment call the Solihull Energy Pioneers advice line on 0800 488 0543 and speak with one of our qualified advisors. Further information can be found on our website Solihull Green Deal.

Housing and Council Tax benefit:

The purpose of the Housing Benefit Scheme is to help people on low incomes pay their rent. Further information is available here on the Council's Advice and Benefits web pages, or by contacting the Council by telephone or email.

• Telephone: 0121 704 8200
• Email: Revenues Team

Council Tax Exemptions and Empty Homes

In accordance with changes the Government has made to Council Tax exemptions the Council has decided to end all Class A and Class C exemptions on 31 March 2013.  A premium of 50% will be charged on properties that are empty for 2 years or more.  This will be in addition to the current 100% charge.  Further information on Class A and C exemptions and long term empty properties is available at the Advice and Benefits webpage.

Financial Difficulties

Help is available for people experiencing financial difficulties. Detailed advice and contact numbers are available on our Money Counts webpage

Neighbour Nuisance and other Anti-Social Behaviour:

Further information on anti-social behaviour is available on the Council's Community web pages. Solihull Community Housing has an Anti-Social Behaviour Team that will investigate serious and very serious cases of antisocial behaviour. This includes racial harassment, sexual harassment, hate crimes and incidents, suspected drug use/dealing and actual/threats of violence.  A presentation on the work of the Anti-social behaviour team is available from the right hand panel.  Information on how to contact them is available from the Solihull Community Housing website  

Telephone: 0121 717 1515
Email Solihull Community Housing : 

Illegal use of properties:

There is a growing national problem of residential properties being used as cannabis factories. Police and other key partners are working together to crack down on cannabis factories in residential properties.  Throughout the UK there has been a sharp increase in illegal cannabis factories, worryingly many are being discovered in rental properties in suburban areas. These factories can cause thousands of pounds worth of damages to the property, the building structure and the electrics. The offenders can make huge sums of money by duping innocent landlords and abusing their properties. A fact sheet prepared by the National Landlord Association is available on how to prevent this happening to your property or what to do if it does.

Enforcement:

The Council may receive a complaint or identify issues during a routine inspection under the Housing Act 2004.  You will be notified at least 24 hours prior to the inspection taking place and any issues found under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System will be dealt with in line with Solihull Council’s Enforcement Policy.

• Telephone: 0121 704 8000
• Email Public Protection team 

If you have other questions that are not answered here please let us know by emailing the Housing Strategy Team.