LABOUR Group Amendment
RENT
CONTROLS
That the relevant changes are made
to the recommendations as shown below in strikethrough
and bold italics:
Council notes:
1Rent in Brighton & Hove is
one of the highest in the country, with an average rent of
£1,100 which accounts for 50% of the average monthly
income; On 16th March 2022 a
motion was passed at Housing committee requesting that the Chief
executive Write to the
Secretary of State to ask that powers to implement rents controls
are given to the city of Brighton and Hove.
2. The cost of rent continues
to spiral upwards; Rents are high and the lack of
affordable housing is causing distress and poverty.
On 22 June
2022 a motion was passed at Housing committee to
stop unlawful discrimination against
benefit claimants by landlords and letting
agents
3. The quality of rented
properties continues to be poor, with the highest proportion of
one-bedroom households (24.7%) in England and Wales outside the
capital; on 15 December 2022 a motion was
passed at full council to take a tougher approach to enforcement
where there are hazardous conditions in private rented homes On
June 23rd 2021 a motion at
Housing Committee to commit to introducing Landlord Licencing in
our City. On 17th November 2021 a motion was passed at Housing
Committee to declare an intention to adopt a zero tolerance
approach to rogue landlords
4With 32.9% of residents
privately renting, Brighton & Hove has suffered heavily in the
housing crisis, with residents priced out of the
city;
5. At least two of the parties
represented on the council supported devolving powers from
government to support rent controls;
6. Politicians continue to waiver
on commitments to support renters when they are hit hardest by the
housing crisis;
7. There is a desperate need for
local authorities to have greater powers over landlords, and to use
those powers to tackle a housing market profiting a few at the cost
of many;
8. It is interested and attracted
by the idea that council leaders should be able to make decisions
to freeze rent.
9. Request that the Chief
Executive writes to both the National Government and the Leader of
the Opposition in Westminster making a case for councils to be
given the power to freeze private rents in their
areas;
337
10. Call on every party to commit
to supporting rent controls at the next General
Election;
11. Request that, should any
mechanism to introduce rent control be introduced, the Council
considers taking immediate action to implement those measures.
338
Council resolves to request that the Housing Committee considers:
1 Implementation of Landlord licensing at the soonest opportunity
2 Taking a tougher approach to enforcement where there are poor conditions in the Private Rental Sector
3 Adoption of a zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords
4 Exploration of how we can develop a long term strategy to improve conditions and affordability for private renters on our city including calling for rent control powers. following the examples of The Mayor of London Sadiq khan and the Mayer of Bristol Marvis Rees who have called for powers to impose rent controls.
5 Do all we can to provide more affordable, decent homes for our residents.
Proposed by: Councillor Williams Seconded by: Councillor Sheard
Recommendations to read if carried:
Council notes
1. On June 23rd 2021 a motion at Housing Committee to commit to introducing Landlord Licencing in our City
2. On 17th November 2021 a motion was passed at Housing Committee to declare an intention to adopt a zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords
3. on 15 December 2022 a motion was passed at full council to take a tougher approach to enforcement where there are hazardous conditions in private rented homes
4. 16th March 2022 a motion was passed at Housing committee requesting that the Chief executive Write to the Secretary of State to ask that powers to implement rents controls are given to the city of Brighton and Hove.
5. Rents are high and the lack of affordable housing is causing distress and poverty
Council resolves to request that the Housing Committee considers:
1. Implementation of Landlord licensing at the soonest opportunity
2. Taking a tougher approach to enforcement where there are poor conditions in the Private Rental Sector
3. Adoption of a zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords
4. Exploration of how we can develop a long term strategy to improve conditions and affordability for private renters on our city including calling for rent control powers. following the examples of The Mayor of London Sadiq khan and the Mayer of Bristol Marvis Rees who have called for powers to impose rent controls.
5. Do all we can to provide more affordable, decent homes for our residents.