Council and social housing

We are a social housing landlord, providing advice and information to our tenants for council housing.

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Housing repairs

Please report any repairs that are needed to council owned housing as soon as possible.

Pay your rent or service charge

You can pay your rent or services charges in a variety of different ways

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Council and social housing

We are a social housing landlord, providing advice and information to our tenants for council housing.

Council tenants

Information for our tenants

About your tenancy

Information on understanding and managing your tenancy and payments for council homes and garages.

Pages in Council and social housing

Contact my housing team

We are here to help you with any queries about our housing.

Estate inspection schedules

The tenancy team carry out a range of inspections across the year including estate walkabouts and block inspections.

Housing directorate privacy notice

At Somerset Council, we are committed to protecting your privacy when you use our housing services.

Housing newsletter

We produce a regular newsletter for our tenants

STAR survey results

The full STAR (Survey of Tenants And Residents) was last completed in 2020.

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Your tenancy

Becoming a secure tenant.

Tenancy Management contacts

The tenancy management team works actively with residents to support with tenancy and estate management issues.

Introductory tenancy

The tenancy agreement sets out your responsibilities as an introductory tenant and sets out the duties of the council as your landlord

Secure tenancy

The agreement below sets out your responsibilities as a secure tenant of your property and also the duties of the Council as your landlord

Pay your rent or service charge

You can pay your rent or services charges in a variety of different ways

Service charges explained

Service charges are charges you pay in addition to your rent charge.

Transfer removal grant scheme

We provide a grant to tenants who are under occupying their property or are willing to move from a purpose built adapted property.

End council tenancy

If you would like to end your council tenancy, you must let us know.

Lettable returns standard

What you can expect from your new Somerset West and Taunton home

Council garage

You can apply to rent a garage from us

Tenant advice and information

Useful information and guidance for tenants, including our annual reports.

Repairs and improvements

We are responsible for structural repairs, repairs to essential services (such as water, gas, electricity) or any repairs where there may be risk to health and safety.

Tenant safety

Your health and safety is of highest importance to us. Please be aware of the risks posed by asbestos, fire, water, gas, carbon monoxide and antisocial behaviour.

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Mutual exchange

If you are looking to move but you haven’t got a high priority on Homefinder Somerset, you can consider exchanging your home

Annual report to tenants

The annual report to tenants is a summary of the work carried out across the housing directorate during the year, as well as a review of our performance.

Downsizing to a smaller property

Downsizing to a smaller home could save you money.

Right to buy

The right to buy scheme gives most council tenants the chance to buy their home at a discount.

Tenant empowerment

These groups enable tenants to have their voices heard

Tenant satisfaction measures survey

Valuable feedback to the council on how our services are received within the community.

Storage of recycling materials for collection

For some council tenants, waste storage can be a problem. This is particularly the case for people living in communal properties such as blocks of flats

Pages in Repairs and improvements

Planned maintenance

Find out about our planned maintenance programmes and what this means for you.

Housing repairs

Please report any repairs that are needed to council owned housing as soon as possible.

Gas servicing advice

Regular gas boiler servicing is important.

Improving your home

You can make improvements to your home, but you must get permission first. 

Damp and mould

Condensation is a common problem, and may lead to damp and black mould

Disabled adaptations

We work in partnership with Somerset Independence Plus to provide grants to help towards the cost of adapting your home so that adults or children with physical disabilities can live as independently as possible.

Gas servicing and maintenance

We have a legal duty to carry out a safety check to your home every year

Keeping your home in good repair

Please help to keep your home up to a high standard.

Gas boiler instructions

Instructions for boilers in our properties are available here

Your council home’s condition

The condition of your home is of utmost importance to us.

Capital works programme

We continually work to improve our housing through our Capital Works programme.

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Asbestos in council homes

If items in your home which contain, or you suspect may contain asbestos, have been damaged or deteriorated, do not touch them

Fire safety

We want you, your family and friends to feel safe in your property

Gas safety

Please be aware of gas safety at all times

Carbon monoxide

Faulty gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide. You cannot smell it, taste it or see it but it can kill.

Water safety

The risk of legionella within your home is very low, but following these simple precautions will help keep you stay safe.

Housing and anti-social behaviour

If you witness antisocial behaviour, please report it

Sheltered and supported housing

Sheltered housing is designed to help vulnerable and older people live independently and securely, knowing help is available if and when needed.

North Taunton Woolaway Project

We are embarking on a major redevelopment scheme to transform the North Taunton Woolaway Project area and build quality, energy efficient new homes where people will want to live.

Grass cutting on Somerset Council housing estates

Grass maintenance is a vital component of keeping our housing environment attractive and healthy.

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Sheltered housing

We have Sheltered Housing properties located in Taunton and the surrounding areas

Sheltered housing estate inspections

Estate inspections check for any external repairs needed, issues around rubbish, and to observe the condition that tenants are keeping their properties in.

Supported Housing Team

Supported Housing Team

Pages in North Taunton Woolaway Project

North Taunton Woolaway project overview

We are embarking on a major Regeneration scheme to transform the North Taunton Woolaway project area and build quality, energy efficient new homes where people will want to live.

North Taunton Woolaway project progress

We are committed to sharing our progress.

North Taunton Woolaway travel plan

Find out about the sustainable travel choices available to you.

North Taunton Woolaway project documents

The key project documentation is shared with the public to remain open and transparent about our policies and procedures.

Rainbow Way Project

We are building new Council homes in Minehead.

Landlord Service Policies

Our policies for tenants of Somerset Council's Landlord Service

Housing Association and National Trust tenants

Housing associations and the National Trust manage homes in the area