ABSTRACT
Birmingham, like many other parts of the country, is witnessing a deterioration in the condition of its housing stock which numbers 390,000 dwellings. Although the effects of this can be seen amongst all tenures, nowhere is it more evident than in the private sector, where home ownership has increased by almost 20%, between 1981 and 1991, to a total of 225,000 dwellings [OPCS, 1991]. The way a home is maintained is a critical factor in the health of the occupants and the long-term viability of properties and neighbourhoods. However, householders face many barriers to taking the necessary action to protect their home environment. Surveys indicate that there is a widespread lack of information, advice, skills and resources that are accessible to householders of all tenures.
