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Public health and housing
We aim to protect the environment and public health and improve the quality of life for the people within the Borough.
Public Health
Nuisance conditions may arise from defective premises as a result of complaints regarding dust, odour and fumes. The Environmental Health Department investigates all public health complaints and takes appropriate follow up action. Statutory nuisance conditions, which may arise, may be dealt with informally or formal action may be required.
What is condensation?
How do I prevent condensation?
What causes dampness?
What do I do if my drains are blocked?
Why do I have to have my bin emptied?
What do I do if I smell oil on my property?
What is condensation?
Condensation - why does it occur?
Water droplets form on a cold outer surface because warm water vapour cools when in contact with a cold surface and changes into the liquid water state. Similarly condensation can form in areas of the home for the following reasons:
- Too much moisture in the air
- Not enough ventilation
- Rooms without enough heat
- Cold surfaces because of poor insulation
Condensation - what does it look like?
- Water droplets, dampness and often black speckled mould
- Not a clearly defined patch as with other types of damp
Mould Growth
Mould grows where dampness, predominantly caused by condensation exists; however, it can be caused by true dampness: rising damp, penetrating damp and plumbing leaks. Every dwelling contains mould spores, which are dormant and completely harmless. However, given the right conditions these spores will germinate resulting in extensive growth of black mould. Mould spreads spores into the air and gives off a musty smell. Cloths, furnishings and carpets can be destroyed and it can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory diseases. Mould also attacks foodstuffs resulting in dangerous toxins, which in turn can give rise to food poisoning. Spores, even in small concentrations, are detrimental to the well being of adults and children.
Condensation - where will you find it?
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Cold surfaces such as windows
- Cold corners especially behind furniture
- Over filled cupboards and wardrobes
- Poorly heated rooms
- Un-insulated walls and ceilings
The reasons you will find condensation in these areas may be due to just one, or a combination of factors contributing to condensation. Condensation in the kitchen or bathroom is likely to be due to excess moisture in the air, whereas condensation occurring in a cold corner may be due to poor ventilation, a poorly heated room and the wall being un-insulated.
How do I prevent condensation?
Condensation - how to prevent it:
- Avoid drying your clothes indoors
- Vent tumble driers to the outside
- Open windows to let out the moist air when you've been bathing, cooking or washing
- Keep your kitchen and bathroom doors closed to stop warm moist air travelling to other rooms in the house
- Use extractor fans
- Turn up your heating a little when it is cold
- Keep rooms warm when you are bathing, cooking and washing
- Avoid bottled gas fires, use your other heaters instead
- Improve insulation in roof and wall cavity, especially if there are patches of condensation and you have tried everything else. Bear in mind that insulation and draught proofing will slow warmth escaping, and therefore condensation will be less likely to form in a healthy, warm home.
Ventilation - ways of increasing ventilation
- Don't block air bricks!
- Opening windows
- Trickle vents in double-glazing
- Mechanical extractor fan
- Automatic, humidistat fan
Equipment to help reduce condensation and mould growth
Positive input ventilation system: a fan system that provides a fresh air supply into a dwelling from the roof space. This continuous supply of air pushes out moisture ladened stale air through gaps in the dwelling's structure
Dehumidifiers: an electrically operated machine that both warms and dries the air. Warm moist air is drawn into the machine, which passes over a cold coil so that moisture condenses and collects in a container which must be emptied
Fungicides: there are many fungicide washes and paints available for killing mould fungi on walls, and preventing future growth. There is little point in using them unless the underlying cause of the mould growth is removed.
What causes dampness?
What is damp?
Damp is caused by two main routes, penetrating and rising damp.
- Penetrating damp is the term applied to the penetration of moisture through the fabric of a building, from the outside to the inside, over a period of time. It usually occurs at a relatively high level through external walls or a roof and is almost always the result of defective construction.
- Rising damp is moisture rising from under ground or around a building up the external or interal walls. It is relatively rare in modern homes but more common in older properties as a result of defective, damaged damp proof membrane or damp proof course.
Damp is usually caused by :
- leaking pipes, wastes or overflows
- rain seeping in through the roof where a tile or slate is missing
- rain spilling from a blocked gutter or loose window frames
- water leaking through a cracked pipe
- rising damp due to a faulty damp proof course or because there is no damp course.
What do I do if my drains are blocked?
Water quality and drainage problems
Northern Ireland Water is responsible for the quality of mains drinking water, water pipes and the supply of water to your home.
More information about their services is available from the Northern Ireland Water website or by calling 084 5744 0088.
Drainage problems are also the responsibility of Northern Ireland Water, except for drains which are on your own property. In which case you are responsible if there are any problems.
If you live in a rented house and are having problems with water drainage, your landlord should fix the problem if the fault is on their property.
Why do I have to have my bin emptied?
Household rubbish
Leaving large amounts of rubbish outside your home for long periods of time can attract rats, flies and other vermin as a result of odurs from decaying food etc. Ensuring lids are kept closed to prevent odurs arising and ensure bins are not overflowing to attract pests. If no waste materials are available, pests will not be attracted. If excess waste occurs you should take this to a Council amentity site.
It may also be an offence, resulting in legal action taken by this department
What do I do if I smell oil on my property?
Oil leaks and fumes
The smell of oil/spirits may indicate an oil leak. 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. Oil spills are usually a civil matter between the parties involved but the Environmental Health Service can act in an advisory capacity.
You should contact your house insurers immediately as remediation may be expensive and a spill needs to be dealt with by a company that specialises in such matters.
Housing
This department will investigate complaints in relation to harassment & illegal eviction from landlords. Also under new legislation introduced in April 2007 known as the Private Tenancy Order, District Councils are responsible for inspecting tenancies for fitness and have been given new powers to ensure that unfitness and serious disrepair are addressed. This new system rewards the efforts of landlords who wish to provide good quality housing for their tenants and remove restrictions which would hamper the development of good quality, privately rented housing. Protected tenants retain their security of tenure.
I am a tenant, what are my rights?
What is Harassment & Illegal eviction?
What is Private Tenancy Order?
What is carbon monoxide?
I am a tenant, what are my rights?
What are my basic entitlements in rented accommodation?
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
Rent books and tenancy statements
If you live in a privately rented house, you are entitled to a rent book and tenancy statement (if your tenancy started after April 2007) from your landlord.
If you are having problems getting the documents, call us on 028 90494640- we can contact your landlord on your behalf.
What is Harassment & Illegal eviction?
Harassment and unlawful eviction
Under the Rent Order (Northern Ireland) Act 1978, a private tenant can only be forced to leave their home if a court of law has issued a court order.
Harassment and unlawful eviction are criminal offences under the Act.
Our public health and housing team can:
- provide advice to landlords and tenants
- investigate complaints of harassment and unlawful eviction
- prosecute landlords who have harassed or illegally evicted their tenants.
Harassment
Harassment covers any action taken by a landlord, or someone acting on their behalf, to make a tenant leave their home.
Examples include:
- interfering with gas, water and electricity supplies
- making threats and instructing a tenant to leave
- entering the property without consent
- refusing to carry out repairs
- making frequent unannounced visits, especially late at night.
Tenants should record the details of any harassment including the date, time and a short description of the incident.
Unlawful eviction
This occurs when a landlord, or any person acting for them, forces or attempts to force a tenant from their home without following the proper legal procedures.
Examples include:
- changing the locks to a property when a tenant is not at home
- physically throwing a tenant out
- stopping a tenant from getting into part or all of their home.
Eviction Procedure:
- If a landlord wants a tenant to leave, they must provide a 'notice to quit', even if there is no tenancy agreement.
- The notice must be for at least 28 days, regardless of what the tenancy agreement states.
- It should be in writing and both the landlord and tenant should keep a copy.
- If the tenant does not leave after the notice has run out, the landlord can apply for a court order from a magistrates' court.
- However, it is an offence to evict a tenant without getting a court order, even if the notice to quit has expired.
- Landlords do not need a court order to evict licensees, who share part or all of a property (usually with the landlord).
- Licensees are only entitled to 'reasonable' notice before they must leave the property.
What is Private Tenancy Order?
The Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
Under the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, the Council carry out inspections to check whether properties are fit for people to live in.
Landlords of properties which comply with the legislation must apply to the Council for a Certificate of Fitness.
This can be done by completing an Application to Conduct an Inspection for Fitness form. Downloadable here:
 Application Form
The Council will then inspect your property and determine its fitness. If fit the council will issue you with a Certificate of Fitness or if it is not fit then a Notice of Refusal will be issued.
The form also includes guidance notes to help you with your application.
You should read the guidance notes carefully before completing your application form.
Important information about your application
Houses that do not need a fitness inspection:
- Was built after 1945
- A renovation grant was paid by the Housing Executive within the last 10 years
- Had a regulated rent certificate issued within the last 10 years
- An HMO grant was paid by the Housing Executive within the past 10 years
- The dwelling is currently registered as an HMO with the Housing Executive
If your property meets any of these criteria, you do not need to apply for a fitness inspection and you do not need to complete the application form.
If you submit an application, and we later discover that your property does not need a fitness inspection, your application fee will not be refunded.
We will assume that your property was built in or before 1945, unless you tell us otherwise in your application form or you can provide us with documented evidence, showing that it was built after this date.
About your inspection
If your application is accepted, we will contact you to arrange an inspection.
If your property is deemed fit, we will give you a Certificate of Fitness.
However, if your property is found to be unfit for people to live in, you will be given a Notice of Refusal. This outlines the type of work needed to make your property fit for people to live in.
Once the repairs are completed, you can reapply for another fitness inspection.
If your property fails our inspection, your rent may be controlled by a rent officer from the start date of your tenancy.
Application fee
- It costs £50 to apply for a fitness inspection.
- This fee is non-refundable.
- The fee for a re-application for a fitness inspection is £100.
- Please make cheques payable to Castelereagh Borough Council.
Returning your application form
- Your application must be returned within 28 days of the start date of a new tenancy.
- It is an offence not to return your application within this period.
You should return your application form and fee to:
Castlereagh Borough Council
Environmental Health Service
Civic & Admin Offices
Bradford Court
Upper Galwally
Castlereagh
BT8 6RB
Help and advice
If you need help with your application, call us on 028 90494640.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, wood or oil and is produced when they are burned.
It is a deadly gas - you cannot see it, smell it or taste it so it is difficult to detect.
Council officers can provide help and advice if you are worried about carbon monoxide.
They can also visit your home and monitor carbon monoxide levels if necessary.
What are the signs of carbon monoxide?
- gas flames which burn orange or yellow instead of blue
- soot stains on or just above your appliances (regardless of the type of fuel you use)
- coal or wood fires which burn slowly or go out
- trouble lighting your fire
- a blocked chimney or flue
- not have enough ventilation in a room
- fatigue, muscle pains, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, chest pain or nausea.
What can I do to avoid carbon monoxide?
There are lots of things you can do to prevent carbon monoxide from building up in your home.
These include:
- making sure all the rooms in your home are well-ventilated - don't block vents and, if you have double glazing or draughtproofing, ensure there is still enough ventilation for any heaters
- checking that all portable heaters are well-ventilated
- keeping chimneys and flues clear and getting them swept regularly by a reliable chimney sweep
- making sure that carbon monoxide detectors meet British Standard 7860 (these should not be used as a substitute for regular services of your appliances)
- getting your boiler, heating systems and appliances installed, maintained and regularly serviced by a qualified engineer. For gas appliances, make sure your engineer is registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).
What should I do if I suspect carbon monoxide?
If you think there are carbon monoxide fumes in your home or suspect that a flue or heating appliance is blocked or faulty, you should switch off the appliance and open your window, contact gas supplier and not sleep in the room.
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