Targeted work to improve housing standards in Boscombe gets underway this month. As part of the ongoing work to regenerate Boscombe, Bournemouth’s private sector housing officers will be contacting home owners and landlords to carry out inspections in central Boscombe over the next few months. The area, which includes approximately 1,300 properties is being targeted in a bid to improve housing standards. Council Officers will be working with landlords of all rented accommodation, including HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) to assess whether improvements should be made to the living conditions for their tenants and where necessary, setting a timeframe for improvement works to be carried out. Councillor Robert Lawton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “We very much want to work in partnership with local landlords to help raise the standards of living conditions for Boscombe residents, in particular those living in central Boscombe. We will be advising landlords about providing their tenants with adequate heating, access to amenities, ensuring the property is well maintained and complies with fire regulations. It is not acceptable that some residents are living in properties that are below standard and through this work we hope to tackle this issue.” As well as providing guidance on housing standards, the Council’s housing officers will also be providing advice and signposting to useful services to help with improving property security and accessing grants for insulation to improve energy efficiency. The work is a response to the findings of the recent Bournemouth 2026 Boscombe Strategic Assessment and in support of the Backing Boscombe campaign which found that central Boscombe is the most deprived area in Bournemouth. One of the issues identified in the report highlighted the need to improve living conditions for residents in the area. Any Bournemouth tenants who are concerned about their living conditions should speak with their landlord in the first instance. If the issue is not resolved by the landlord, residents can contact the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team on: 01202 451083 or emailhealthy.homes@bournemouth.gov.uk | 
