A COUNCIL has used its enforcement powers almost 30 times in the past year, which has proved to be a useful tool to improve the housing quality across Tendring.

Tendring Council’s private sector housing team has had almost 470 requests for help in the 2019/20 financial year from tenants living in private accommodation.

In the majority of cases, improvement work was carried out by landlords after an informal engagement, while in 90 cases advice was given to support tenants.

In 153 cases the matter was referred to another council team or an external organisation.

In total the council has taken formal enforcement action in 29 cases.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, said there had been good work carried out even if most of it was unseen to the public.

He said: “With nearly 20 per cent of our residents living in privately rented housing, it is important we use all the powers available to us to make sure tenants are protected from landlords who do not comply with the law.

“Over the past year some very strong action has been taken across the whole district to protect tenants from unsafe housing.

“This may involve using our own powers, or in some cases working with partners such as the police to clamp down on anti-social behaviour.”