ADVICE sessions are being held for landlords, tenants and other residents to discuss concerns over privately rented accommodation.

Surgeries will take place in the east Durham villages of Horden and Easington Colliery to give people a chance to raise issues or queries.

The two-hour sessions are being run by Julie Bower, of Easington District Council's private landlord accreditation scheme, to respond to and deal with any matters relating to the private rented sector.

The scheme, a voluntary project, started a year ago to improve the quality of rented accommodation and now has 50 accredited landlords covering 250 properties.

It aims to ensure landlords become better managers and offer improved services to their tenants.

The accreditation scheme was introduced with funding from the Easington Colliery and Horden Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Initiative. It was formed in the lead up to the Government's compulsory licensing of private landlords, next year.

Private landlords achieving accreditation within the Easington system should be automatically licensed when the Government brings in its licensing arrangements.

Landlords have enjoyed deals, including property insurance, free smoke detectors, help with tenancy agreements and vetting of prospective tenants.

Surgeries will be held in the Community Resource Centre, Bede Street, Easington Colliery, on Thursday, July 31, and in the Welfare Hall, Seventh Street, Horden, on Friday, August 1, both from 10am to noon.