Accommodation certificates (fitness for human habitation)
The aim of this service is to identify properties which fail to meet the fitness for habitation requirement and determine the most satisfactory course of action to be taken with that property.
Accommodation certificates may be needed by people requiring a visa application to enter the UK. One of the requirements for a successful visa application is:
“there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively”
What is ‘adequate accommodation’?
This is private accommodation that meets the minimum standards as currently required by the Housing Act 1985 (as amended), but please note that this standard is being replaced by a new Housing Health & Safety Rating System on the 1 st April 2006.
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council can provide assistance to individuals applying for a visa by inspecting a property to ensure that it meets the required housing standards, in respect of fitness for habitation and lack of overcrowding.
If the property meets the required standards an accommodation certificate will be provided. This certificate meets the needs of the Home Office and can therefore be used as part of a visa application.
Rented Property
If the house is rented and there is a gas supply to the property then it will be necessary to attach a copy of a current Gas Safety Inspection Certificate to the application.
Your landlord should have already provided you with a copy of the certificate in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.
If you are not able to obtain a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate please contact the officer named below.
A fitness report cannot be issued for rented property with gas appliances unless a current gas safety certificate has been provided with this application.
Download application form
Who to Contact
Steve Cleworth
Environmental Health Officer
Council Offices
Wallace Green
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1ED
Tel. 01289 301822
Fax 01289 330540
email shc@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk
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