Neighbourhood Improvement Zone

Little Ilford Neighbourhood Improvement Zone

What is the pilot Neighbourhood Improvement Zone?

The pilot Neighbourhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) aims to improve many of the problems residents are concerned about in your neighbourhood through co-ordinating and focusing council services.

In particular we will be tackling residents' concerns regarding the high numbers of properties that are rented which often have a detrimental impact on your community.

To help us ensure that rented accommodation is well managed and meets the necessary standards we have been granted special powers to require all landlords to apply for a licence to rent accommodation within the pilot NIZ.

(The requirement for landlords to apply for licences will come into force on 1 March 2010.)
For more detailed information on how the NIZ affects you, please download our leaflets for home owners, tenants and landlords.


How will the NIZ benefit me?

As a resident within the zone, we will help you to access a range of key services available through both the council and our partners that we hope will improve your health, safety and well-being.

For example, we will help you to receive:

• a home security assessment
• a fire safety assessment
• an energy efficiency survey
• advice on ensuring that you are claiming any benefits you are entitled to.

You may also be eligible for help towards the cost of:

• installing home security measures
• carrying out minor repairs (for elderly residents)
• carrying out works so you can remain in your home (if you have a disability).

We will also improve your environment through:

• listening to your views at resident meetings
• clamping down on fly tipping and graffiti
• ensuring that property extensions meet planning requirements
• licensing rented accommodation
• improving the management of rented accommodation
• reducing anti-social behaviour.

What will all this cost?

The pilot NIZ will be carried out at no cost to the council. This is because we will be working more efficiently and will be working closely with partner organisations to deliver more focused services. Landlords will be required to pay a licence fee and this will cover all of the additional costs to the council. Where you are eligible for financial assistance towards certain costs, this is already funded either through national or local schemes.


How can I help and how do I find out more?

We would like to hear from you, so if you would like any further information, if you have concerns about your neighbourhood that you would like to share with us, or if you are aware of properties that are rented that will need to be licensed with us from March, please contact the Neighbourhood Improvement Zone team on 020 8430 2000 or email Resid.Niz@newham.gov.uk.

If officers are unavailable please leave your contact details and we will get back in touch as soon as possible.

You will also see council officers in your area, so please feel free to ask them questions too.