Issue - items at meetings - Private Sector Housing Update

Resolved:

2.1      That Committee notes the updates made to the Council’s website, providing advice to private renters on what to do if they feel discriminated against, and encouraging landlords to support the Council’s commitment to prevent homelessness.

2.2      That Committee agrees that the council website is updated, in line with the Labour Group motion passed at Housing Committee on 17 November 2021, to reflect the agreed zero-tolerance policy on rogue landlords, including a link to the national rogue landlord database.

2.3      That Committee notes the information made available on minimum standardsby the Council when assisting households to access more affordable private rented accommodation as enforceable Good Landlord Standards (see Appendix 2).

2.4      That Committee agrees the Council explore becoming members of an arms-length ethical lettings agency as a possible alternative to establishing an in-house Ethical Lettings Agency and reports back to this Committee on the potential benefits and costs.

2.6      That Committee notes the potential changes to private rented accommodation, should the proposals set out in the New deal for private renters white paper be adopted into future legislation, and agrees the Director for Housing writes to the Government’s Housing Secretary, to lobby for the standards set out in the white paper to be enacted as a bare minimum.

2.7      That Committee notes the additional monitoring agreed in the Quarterly Housing Performance Report.

26.1    The Assistant Director Housing Needs & Supply introduced the report to the committee.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

26.2    Councillor Williams was informed that the lead officer on the report had left the authority and the council were still dependant on the availability of consultants. The tier one census data was released this year. The HMO (Homes of Multiple Occupancy) licensing scheme is still in place, even though it was intended to be short term lasting 5 years. To extend the scheme more evidence will be required. It was noted that it was not possible to guarantee the timing of the next steps. The council are looking at other local authorities and note that others have taken 21 to 24 months to approve schemes.

26.3    Councillor Gibson was informed that it was hoped that the completed report would come back to committee in January 2023.

26.4    Councillor Shanks was informed that the landlords need to adhere to standards and the enforcement team will make site visits to ensure improvements are made. There is online advice for residents regarding letting standards. It was noted that there is a difference between standards and management practices.

26.5    Councillor Meadows was informed by the chair that the financial implications were not to be agreed at this meeting as they were being explored and the quarter 1 housing report will include monitoring of efficiency work and effectiveness. The councillor was also informed that the costs would not be known until they had been explored and the council were adopting a ‘belt and braces’ approach to licensing.

26.6    Councillor Grimshaw was informed that future pressures could not be predicted.

26.7    Councillor Gibson was informed that the tier one census data will sufficient if the council has supporting evidence.

26.8    Councillor Williams requested that costs be reported back to the committee.

26.9    Councillor Williams proposed the Labour Group amendments to the recommendations and was seconded by Councillor Fowler.

26.10 The committee voted on the amendments to the recommendations and agreed 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6 and 2.7 unanimously. 2.5 was not agreed.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Committee notes the updates made to the Council’s website, providing advice to private renters on what to do if they feel discriminated against, and encouraging landlords to support the Council’s commitment to prevent homelessness.

2.2      That Committee agrees that the council website is updated, in line with the Labour Group motion passed at Housing Committee on 17 November 2021, to reflect the agreed zero-tolerance policy on rogue landlords, including a link to the national rogue landlord database.

2.3      That Committee notes the information made available on minimum standards by the Council when assisting households to access more affordable private rented accommodation as enforceable Good Landlord Standards (see Appendix 2).

2.4      That Committee agrees the Council explore becoming members of an arms-length ethical lettings agency as a possible alternative to establishing an in-house Ethical Lettings Agency and reports back to this Committee on the potential benefits and costs.

2.6      That Committee notes the potential changes to private rented accommodation, should the proposals set out in the New deal for private renters’ white paper be adopted into future legislation, and agrees the Director for Housing writes to the Government’s Housing Secretary, to lobby for the standards set out in the white paper to be enacted as a bare minimum.

2.7      That Committee notes the additional monitoring agreed in the Quarterly Housing Performance Report.