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PUBLIC HEALTH NUISANCES AND HOUSING We deal with many types of complaints including the following - smells in and around your property, drainage complaints, disrepair, problems with tenanted property, problems with bonfires etc. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions. I think I can smell gas, what should I do If you are on a gas supply then phone Phoenix gas on 08454 555555. If you live in an area that was previously supplied by town gas, under certain weather conditions a gas type smell may still be detectable. This is not dangerous. I'm worried that my fire might be giving off poisonous fumes Two types of gas may be given off by any appliance, which burns a fossil fuel, such as gas, coal or oil. Carbon monoxide is odourless and sulphur dioxide has a smell like rotten eggs. These gases could affect you if your appliance is faulty, the room is not properly ventilated or the chimney or flue is blocked. Make sure that your heating appliance is regularly serviced by a qualified engineer and that all chimneys and vents are regularly swept and kept clear. Ensure that your home is properly ventilated and never block any air vents. If you need advice regarding fumes contact the Environmental Health Service I can smell fumes from my neighbour's fire. What can be done? Contact Environmental Health. I can smell something like white spirits, what could it be? This may indicate an oil spillage. Firstly check your own oil tank if you have one. If it is not leaking, check around your neighbourhood to see if anyone has lost oil. If there is a spill it needs to be dealt with by a company that specialises in such matters. Remediation may be expensive so make sure that you contact your house insurers. Oil spills are usually a civil matter between the parties involved but the Environmental Health Service can act in an advisory capacity. There's a fish type smell in my living room, what is it ? This may indicate a problem, with your electrical system. Check your plugs and sockets for any damage. There's a smell in my house – could it be a dead mouse? If you have had a rodent problem (or if your pet cat sometimes brings in living or dead creatures) a smell may indicate something dead. For advice contact our pest control officer There are fields near us where the farmer spreads slurry and the smell is awful at times. What can be done? As you live in or near the country it is inevitable that you may experience some smells. Factors that may influence whether action could be taken include the frequency and duration of the smell, your proximity to the source of odour and weather conditions as well as best practice. Our drain's blocked – what do we do? Every house has underground pipes connected to it to take sewage or rainwater away. If they become blocked wastewater may overflow from manhole covers or drainage gulleys outside or cause toilets and sinks to empty too slowly. If only your house is affected and you are an owner occupier you may need to contact a private drain clearing specialist. If you live in a tenanted property get in touch with whom you rent from. If more than your house is affected contact the Northern Ireland Water Helpline on 0845 7440088. If you live in the country your house may not be connected to the mains sewer but have its own septic tank. A septic tank needs to be emptied once a year. To arrange this phone the Northern Ireland Water Helpline 0845-7440088. There's a sewage type smell in my property, what could be causing it? Check your own drains by lifting the cover of the inspection chamber on your own property. If this is blocked you should contact a private drain cleaner for further advice. If your drains are clear but you think that the main sewer is blocked contact the Northern Ireland Water Helpline 0845-7440088. A neighbour lights bonfires and the smoke drifts over my house. Is this allowed? Bonfires can be very irritating to neighbours. Smoke can prevent people from enjoying their gardens, opening windows or hanging washing out. If you are bothered by persistent bonfire smoke it is best to approach your neighbour first and explain the problem. If this approach fails contact the Environmental Health Service and your complaint will be investigated. Q The house next door is a dirty premises with a bad smell. What can I do? Various things such as dog dirt, rubbish and poor hygiene can cause bad smells. If you are having persistent problems try approaching your neighbour to get the matter resolved. If this fails contact the Environmental Health Service. The stream at the bottom of my garden appears to be polluted from my neighbours' septic tank. Who deals with this? The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is responsible for all water pollution and you should contact them on 028 9025 4754. I live in rented accommodation. What are my basic entitlements? All tenants are entitled to - - A rent book
- The right to claim housing benefit
- Four weeks notice to quit
- The due process of law
- Freedom from harassment and illegal eviction
- Freedom from dampness and other disrepair
For further details regarding the last points contact the Environmental Health Service. What is the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006?
New legislation was introduced on 1 April 2007 which provides a new structure for the private rented sector in Northern Ireland. Some of the main features of this are:
- New tenancies are defined according to their fitness for human habitation – an unfit tenancy will be subject to rent control until it is made fit
- District Councils are responsible for inspecting tenancies for fitness and have been given new powers to ensure that unfitness and serious disrepair are addressed.
- Controlled rents are now based on a number of factors including the condition of the property, the equivalent Housing Executive rent for a similar dwelling and the general level of rents in the area.
- Restricted and regulated tenancies will retain their protection. Existing tenants will have a tenancy for life but there will only be one further succession possible rather than two as at present.
- There are to be no more protected tenancies. On vacancy, all currently protected tenancies will be decontrolled. If the property is rented out subsequently, the rent is not subject to control, as long as the property is fit. As a result, whether a tenancy is furnished or unfurnished no longer has any significance.
- As well as having rent books, new tenants have to be supplied with a written statement of the terms of their tenancy. Where a tenancy agreement fails to clarify repairing obligations, the law provides default terms.
For more information visit the Department for Social Development website. Useful links Housing Rights Service: www.housingrights.org.uk www.housingadviceni.org - website to help people find answers to their housing problems NI Rent Office: www.dsdni.gov.uk NI Housing Executive: www.nihe.gov.uk Northern Ireland Environment Agency: www.ni-environment.gov.uk/ |
