Private housing

Information for private housing tenants, homeowners and landlords. How to report an empty property or bring one back into use.

Property licensing

Selective Licensing
Find out more about our Selective Licensing Scheme and how to apply.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Find out what Houses in Multiple Occupation are, and information about planning permission, licensing, and living standards for them.
Property licensing fees, discounts and exemptions
Find out how much we charge for property licences in Brighton & Hove, and get information on discounts and exemptions.

Private tenants

Housing advice for private tenants

Find out more about the renting process and your rights as a tenant.
Contact us about your private rented housing
Contact us if you need help with a private housing problem, or if you have a question about our private housing services.
Carry out work on your home
Make sure you're following building rules and check if you need planning permission before starting work on your home
Changes to your home
If you have a disability or a long term illness or health condition, you might benefit from making some changes to your home, adapting it to better meet your needs.
How to find a home to rent
Get advice on the kind of property you should look for and how to find rented properties.
Get help to keep up with your rent
Get help and advice if you're having difficulty paying your rent for private housing.
Join the register to build your own home
Apply to be on our self build and custom housebuilding register to let us know you want to build your own home.
Property safety and legal advice for tenants
Understand your rights and find out what your landlord's legal obligations are.
Revenge eviction
Find out about revenge eviction, also known as retaliatory eviction, how the law can protect you and where to get help.

Private landlords

Contact us about a property you're renting out
Contact us if you're a private landlord, letting your property through the council, or have a question about HMO licensing
Rent out your property through the council
Provide a home to local families who need housing by renting out your property through the council
Tenant advice for landlords
Understand your rights and find out what your legal obligations are as a landlord.
Property safety advice for landlords
Find out what your responsibilities are and learn how to make your propery safe and free from health hazards.
Energy Performance Certificates and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
Find out what landlords must do to comply with energy efficiency standards in their rented properties.

Empty properties

Report an empty or derelict property

Tell us if a property you live near has become empty or derelict.
Update us on an empty property you own

Tell us about a change to your empty property, such as someone moving in or work being done.
How to find and buy an empty property
Where to look for empty properties in Brighton & Hove.
Bring your empty property back into use
If you own an empty property and are not sure what to do with it, here are some of the options available to you.
How we make sure empty properties are reused
Find out what powers we can use to make sure empty properties are brought back into use.

Home energy efficiency

Get help with energy bills

Advice about how to save energy and check if you can get a discount on your energy bills.
How to be energy efficient at home
Where to get advice to become more energy efficient, how to get a free smart meter and help for private tenants and property owners to save energy including possible grants.
How to keep warm and well
Advice about staying warm in your home to reduce the risk of health problems.

Private housing policies

Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy
Find out how the council regulates standards in private rented housing and tackles empty homes in Brighton and Hove.