Resident Questions for Housing Area Panel

Department				Housing
Date question raised				23/06/2022
Date of Area Panel				16/08/2022
Area in city				East
Star rating applied by residents				2 star – local area issue
Deadline for officer response				25/07/2022
Name of officer responding				Aaron Burns
Officer job title
Title of Question:		Privately owned properties rented by the Council lying empty
Issue: The Council is renting privately owned homes for temporary housing but leaving them empty.
Background: A privately owned property, which is rented by the Council (at 101 Sandhurst Avenue, Woodingdean), has been empty since February 2022, in spite of the property only requiring minor repairs, and the fact that there are so many people waiting to be housed. Residents are concerned that funds from HRA are being used to pay rent to private landlords, which they are then not renting out and receiving rent income from.
Action requested by residents: The residents would like to know: · Why the property at 101 Sandhurst Avenue been empty for 4 months? · How many privately-owned properties are currently being rented by the Council for temporary accommodation? · Of these properties, how many are currently empty, awaiting repairs?
Officer Response: Aaron Burns
Officer contact details:			aaron.burns@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Response: The property mentioned was found to need extensive damp works when the previous tenant moved on.  In cases where repairs which are the owner’s responsibility under our leasing arrangements are identified our payments to the owner are stopped and the property is handed back for them to conduct necessary works. There are currently 732 private sector properties leased by Brighton & Hove City Council. These properties are charged at maximum Local Housing Allowance Rates. HRA funds are not used. There are currently 34 leased properties vacant undergoing or awaiting void works being conducted by BHCC
Specific Action:
Action: As above.
Timeline:
Start date:	N/A
End date:	N/A