CONSERVATIVE Group Amendment
PROTECT THE RENTERS THIS
WINTER: STOP REVENGE EVICTIONS!
That the relevant changes are made
to the recommendations as shown below in strikethrough
and bold italics:
1. This Winter’s cost-of-living emergency and dangers to tenants in properties with health hazards i.e. damp, mould, excess cold;
2.
The tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged
exposure to mould;
3.
Mould,
damp and serious disrepair in the council-run social
and private housing sectors needs addressing
first,by:
i. Addressing the 10,000 backlog in the Council’s Housing Repairs;
ii. Repairing void properties so they can be lived in; and
iii. Resuming estate inspections, which were cancelled in 2018
4.
Action the council can take to prevent revenge evictions, raise
standards and deter landlords from breaking the law;
5.
The council has legal powers to intervene in cases of revenge
evictions with ‘improvement notices’ to invalidate s21
notices;
6.
The 2019 High Court ruling in favour of Hull City
Council;
Council therefore resolves to
request officers to bring a report to Housing Committee:
a)
Reviewing the
council’s private sector housing enforcement policy to
reduce tenants’ risk of ‘revenge evictions’ by
serving ‘improvement notices’ and own housing
enforcement policy, to reduce tenants’ anxiety by
serving ‘emergency remedial action notices’ at
the soonest opportunity;
b)
Outlining plans
to display on the council website steps private renters
tenants can take regarding repairs requests and
revenge eviction notices that are not carried out in a
timely way;
c) Reviewing the letting of our council homes that are below the EPC standard consistent with that which applies to all private landlords.
Proposed by: Cllr Meadows Seconded by: Cllr Nemeth
Recommendations to read if carried:
Council notes:
1. This Winter’s cost-of-living emergency and dangers to tenants in properties with health hazards i.e. damp, mould, excess cold;
2. Mould, damp and serious disrepair in the council-run social housing sector needs addressing first, by:
i. Addressing the 10,000 backlog in the Council’s Housing Repairs;
ii. Repairing void properties so they can be lived in; and
iii. Resuming estate inspections, which were cancelled in 2018.
Council therefore resolves to request officers to bring a report to
Housing Committee:
a) Reviewing the council’s own housing enforcement policy, to reduce tenants’ anxiety by serving ‘emergency remedial action notices’ at the soonest opportunity;
b) Outlining plans to display on the council website steps tenants can take regarding repairs requests that are not carried out in a timely way;
c) Reviewing the letting of our council homes that are below the EPC standard consistent with that which applies to all private landlords.