Web Content Writing Template
Headline / Title / Public Health Protection TeamSubtitle (optional)
Goal of page
Intended audience
Page actions / Provide information on the services offered by the Public Health Protection Team
Body Copy
250 – 500 words / The Public Health Protection Team are responsible for the enforcement of all Public Health and Dog Control Legislation.
This includes:
-Public Health Nuisance
-Domestic Air Pollution
-Domestic Noise Nuisance
-Dog Control – Dog Licences, Fouling, Micro-chipping, Dangerous dogs, Dog control orders and Dog Wardens
-Advice on harassment and Illegal evictions
-Landlord registration scheme
-Advice on Pest Control
The team also provide advice on
-High Hedges
-Tenancy Deposit Scheme
-Landlord Registration Scheme
Call To Action
What do you want the reader to do next? / For further information contact:
Enda Cummins
Principle Environmental Health Officer
98 Strand Road
Derry
Telephone: (028) 71 253253
Email:
Alan Haire
Senior Environmental Health Officer
47 Derry Road
Strabane
Telephone: (028) 71 381311
Email:
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Other / Notes or comments:
Headline / Title
Subtitle (optional) / High Hedges
Goal of page
Intended audience
Page actions
Body Copy
250 – 500 words /
Dealing with High Hedge Problems
- Q&A Briefing
- Guidance For Complainants
- Guidance for Hedge Owners
The Northern Ireland High Hedges Act 2011 is designed to assist people who are affected by high hedges bordering their property
The legislation deals primarily with evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges over 2m high which affects light reaching a neighbouring domestic property.
District Councils have a duty to enforce the legislation and this Council will investigate any complaints that are brought under the Act. Where you have a problem with a high hedge you will be expected to have tried to resolve the issue BEFORE a complaint can be made to the Council.
In the event of seeking assistance from Council you will need to demonstrate (e.g. letters written to the high hedge owner) that you have made every reasonable attempt to engage with your neighbour and that you are only coming to Council as a matter of last resort.
The council will not negotiate between neighbours but will investigate a complaint and make a judgement as to whether the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of his or her property.
The council will only intervene if a complaint is made and even then, each case will be determined on its own merits. However, it is hoped that the very existence of the legislation will encourage neighbours to work together to resolve their dispute, avoiding the need for Council involvement.
The legislation does not mean that all hedges above 2 metres in height will need to be cut down or people need Council permission to grow or retain a hedge along the boundary of your property.
If the council decides that the complaint is justified, it will serve a notice on the hedge owner specifying what needs to be done to manage the hedge and the date by which this should be done.
It is an offence not to comply with the terms of a remedial notice. The penalty for non-compliance with a remedial notice will be a fine of up to £1,000 with the possibility of further fines for continued non-compliance.
Call To Action
What do you want the reader to do next? / For further information please contact
Enda Cummins
Principle Environmental Health Officer
98 Strand Road
Derry
Telephone: (028) 71 253253
Alan Haire
Senior Environmental Health Officer
47 Derry Road
Strabane
Telephone: (028) 71 381311
Email:
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Other / Notes or comments:
Headline / Title
Subtitle (optional) / Tenancy Deposit Scheme
Goal of page
Intended audience
Page actions
Body Copy
250 – 500 words / A tenancy deposit is a sum of money which a landlord may ask tenants to pay at the start of a tenancy to protect against damages to the property or unpaid rent.
From 1 April 2013 landlords must, by law, protect any deposit taken in connection with a private tenancy in an approved tenancy deposit scheme.
The Environmental Health Department has an enforcement role in relation to the protection of deposits and can issue fixed penalty notices on the landlord up to three times the amount of the deposit as a fine for not following proper procedures and breaking the law.
For further information on tenants rights please see the Housing Advice website at
Call To Action
What do you want the reader to do next? / For further information contact:
Enda Cummins
Principle Environmental Health Officer
98 Strand Road
Derry
Telephone: (028) 71 253253
Email:
Alan Haire
Senior Environmental Health Officer
47 Derry Road
Strabane
Telephone: (028) 71 381311
Email:
Image
Other / Notes or comments:
Headline / Title
Subtitle (optional) / Landlord Registration Scheme
Goal of page
Intended audience
Page actions
Body Copy
250 – 500 words / Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014
The introduction of landlord registration scheme by Department of Social Development is a positive step in the regulation of the private rental sector.
All landlords who let properties under private tenancy in Northern Ireland must register and provide up to date and accurate information.
This registration enables local councils to communicate and work with private landlords ensuring they comply with the law and where necessary take enforcement action.
A centrally held register of private landlords:
- allows tenants, neighbours and local councils to identify if landlords are registered
- provides information on the number of landlords in Northern Ireland and allows landlords to receive regular updates on the duties and responsibilities of landlords and tenants
- provides education and support to landlords
- Improves tenants confidence in their landlords and increase landlords accountability by promoting good practice and ensuring the right advice and help is available.
- a District Council to enable or assist it to carry out its legal duties
- the Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland to help it to carry out its legal duties for rating purposes
- the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the purposes of administering housing benefit and the regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation
You only pay one fee regardless of the number of properties you own:
- the online registration fee is £70.00
- the paper/non electronic based registration fee is £80.00
Exemption
A landlord is exempt from the registration fee if they have paid to register a house in multiple occupation which is registered under the House in Multiple Occupation Registration Scheme.
- Registration lasts 3 years.
- Fixed penalties can be issued for the 3 offences and the income can only be used for the purposes of the council’s functions under the Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006.
The offence of failure to register carries a maximum fine on conviction of £2,500.
If a landlord is found guilty of providing false information a maximum fine on conviction of £2,500 is applicable.
If a landlord fails to provide evidence of registration a maximum fine on conviction of £500 can be given.
Derry City and Strabane District Council, in line with other councils in Northern Ireland has set the following fixed penalties:
Fixed penalty for failure to register is set at £500
Fixed penalty for providing false information is set at £500
Fixed penalty for failure to provide evidence of registration is set at £100.
- It is anticipated that the enforcing council will be the council within which the tenancy is located (i.e. if a landlord owns properties in different areas of Northern Ireland).
Alternatively you can contact the advice line on 0800 200 7821.
Call To Action
What do you want the reader to do next? / For further information contact:
Enda Cummins
Principle Environmental Health Officer
98 Strand Road
Derry
Telephone: (028) 71 253253
Email:
Alan Haire
Senior Environmental Health Officer
47 Derry Road
Strabane
Telephone: (028) 71 381311
Email:
Image
Other / Notes or comments: