We're acting to improve housing standards in Gateshead's communities
Our Private Sector Housing team, supported by a range of partner agencies, carried out a major day of action on Coatsworth Road on Tuesday 11 November, targeting privately rented homes operating without the required licence.
The operation brought together our environmental anti-social behaviour (ASB) team, enforcement officers tackling commercial fly-tipping, trading standards, and Environmental Health's food safety team, alongside colleagues from Northumbria Police's Operation Vienna.
The initiative focused on identifying unlicensed rented properties and tackling poor housing conditions, safety risks and other neighbourhood issues affecting residents and businesses along Coatsworth Road.
This proactive day of action forms part of our wider commitment to improve housing conditions across Gateshead through our Selective Licensing and Additional Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Schemes. These schemes were introduced following an independent study which revealed serious problems of poor property standards, deprivation, and ASB in several neighbourhoods throughout Gateshead.
Since launching the scheme, the council has received over 3,700 licence applications from responsible landlords and managing agents, with around 1,000 licences now issued.
However, some properties continue to operate outside of the licensing framework, prompting targeted enforcement such as the Coatsworth Road operation.
To date, 39 enforcement notices have been served due to poor standards of repair, and three emergency prohibition orders issued where there was an imminent risk of serious harm to tenants.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"We know that good landlords play a vital role in providing safe and decent homes, but we also know there are a small number who continue to put tenants at risk by ignoring the law. The day of action on Coatsworth Road shows our commitment to standing up for tenants, tackling poor housing standards and holding non-compliant landlords to account. Everyone in Gateshead deserves to live in a safe, secure and well-maintained home."
We're reminding landlords that holding a valid licence is a legal requirement in designated areas. Those who fail to apply could face financial penalties of up to £30,000, or be subject to Rent Repayment Orders, requiring repayment of rent received while operating without a licence.
We'll continue to work closely with local partners to ensure residents feel safe in their homes and communities, and to support responsible landlords who maintain good standards across the borough.
Sergeant Haley Lightburn of Northumbria Police said: Operation Vienna is well embedded within the community, and this activity is a prime example of what the team continues to achieve, thanks to the trust they have built up.
"By acting on the information given to them by their community, officers, in collaboration with partners, can put all our intelligence together to act quickly and put an early stop to crime and disorder in the area.
"We will continue to act on information given to us and our partners and residents should be assured that this is simply not something we will tolerate in our communities."
For further information on our rented property licensing scheme, including application processes and conditions, visit our selective landlord licensing webpages, or contact the our Private Sector Housing Team at [email protected] or on 0191 433 3926.
Our Private Sector Housing team, supported by a range of partner agencies, carried out a major day of action on Coatsworth Road on Tuesday 11 November, targeting privately rented homes operating without the required licence.
The operation brought together our environmental anti-social behaviour (ASB) team, enforcement officers tackling commercial fly-tipping, trading standards, and Environmental Health's food safety team, alongside colleagues from Northumbria Police's Operation Vienna.
The initiative focused on identifying unlicensed rented properties and tackling poor housing conditions, safety risks and other neighbourhood issues affecting residents and businesses along Coatsworth Road.
This proactive day of action forms part of our wider commitment to improve housing conditions across Gateshead through our Selective Licensing and Additional Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Schemes. These schemes were introduced following an independent study which revealed serious problems of poor property standards, deprivation, and ASB in several neighbourhoods throughout Gateshead.
Since launching the scheme, the council has received over 3,700 licence applications from responsible landlords and managing agents, with around 1,000 licences now issued.
However, some properties continue to operate outside of the licensing framework, prompting targeted enforcement such as the Coatsworth Road operation.
To date, 39 enforcement notices have been served due to poor standards of repair, and three emergency prohibition orders issued where there was an imminent risk of serious harm to tenants.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
"We know that good landlords play a vital role in providing safe and decent homes, but we also know there are a small number who continue to put tenants at risk by ignoring the law. The day of action on Coatsworth Road shows our commitment to standing up for tenants, tackling poor housing standards and holding non-compliant landlords to account. Everyone in Gateshead deserves to live in a safe, secure and well-maintained home."
We're reminding landlords that holding a valid licence is a legal requirement in designated areas. Those who fail to apply could face financial penalties of up to £30,000, or be subject to Rent Repayment Orders, requiring repayment of rent received while operating without a licence.
We'll continue to work closely with local partners to ensure residents feel safe in their homes and communities, and to support responsible landlords who maintain good standards across the borough.
Sergeant Haley Lightburn of Northumbria Police said: Operation Vienna is well embedded within the community, and this activity is a prime example of what the team continues to achieve, thanks to the trust they have built up.
"By acting on the information given to them by their community, officers, in collaboration with partners, can put all our intelligence together to act quickly and put an early stop to crime and disorder in the area.
"We will continue to act on information given to us and our partners and residents should be assured that this is simply not something we will tolerate in our communities."
For further information on our rented property licensing scheme, including application processes and conditions, visit our selective landlord licensing webpages, or contact the our Private Sector Housing Team at [email protected] or on 0191 433 3926.
