Issue - items at meetings - Private Sector Housing Update

RESOLVED: That Housing Committee:

2.1      Agree that development of an in-house Ethical Lettings Agency will not be pursued at this time, though Committee may consider it in the future.

2.2      Note the progress on the Selective Licensing Feasibility Study and the

proposal to arrange a Housing Committee Member Workshop (early February 2023) on options to progress.

2.3      Note that evidence suggests a new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme is potentially viable, and if so that required consultation on this should be linked to any consultation agreed to progress selective licensing.

2.4      Agree a review of the current Private Sector Enforcement Policy is undertaken and that in the interim where appropriate proactive use of improvement notices is exercised against landlords and letting agents as referred to in 4.3.4. This review will, among other things, reflect the motion passed at Full Council in December 2022, requesting 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 ‘emergency remedial action notices’ at the soonest opportunity

b)       Outlining plans to display on the council website steps private renters can take regarding repairs requests and revenge eviction notices

2.5      Note the options and restrictions relating to a ‘Rogue Landlord database’. To approve further investigation of the establishment a ‘Rogue Landlord database’ in Brighton & Hove and report back to Housing Committee in March 2023 and will continue to work towards a zero-tolerance approach to rogue landlords as agreed by this committee.

2.6      Note activity during 2022/23 (to 30 November 2022) in relation to private sector housing enforcement.

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

59.2    Following questions the committee Members were informed of the following: the evidence in the report has come from those who have approached the council; there are approximately 44,000 private renters in Brighton and Hove, with 20% properties requiring action, and 462 cases have been dealt with; 96.8% of cases are resolved by informal action and it is better to work with landlords; most tenants approach council alone, not with the landlord; it is preferred that landlords make changes and improvements themselves; evidence suggests 1% of landlords are served section 21 notices.

Debate

59.3    The following comments were made by committee Members: reform of Section 21 was called for; revenge evictions are not rare and zero tolerance is not disproportionate; many tenants becoming homeless in 2023 due to rising rents; landlords should be supported as 99% of landlords are responsible; the ‘Warmer Home’ scheme supports landlords; the English Housing survey states that 13% of rentals have hazards and is therefore a big problem going unreported; other authorities have Gold and Platinum licensing schemes.

59.4    The recommendations amendment was presented by councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Osborne.

59.5    A vote was taken, and by 8 to 2 the amendment to the recommendations was agreed.

59.6    A vote was taken, and by 8 to 2 the amended recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED: That Housing Committee:

2.1      Agree that development of an in-house Ethical Lettings Agency will not be pursued at this time, though Committee may consider it in the future.

2.2      Note the progress on the Selective Licensing Feasibility Study and the

proposal to arrange a Housing Committee Member Workshop (early February 2023) on options to progress.

2.3      Note that evidence suggests a new Additional HMO Licensing Scheme is potentially viable, and if so that required consultation on this should be linked to any consultation agreed to progress selective licensing.

2.4      Agree a review of the current Private Sector Enforcement Policy is undertaken and that in the interim where appropriate proactive use of improvement notices is exercised against landlords and letting agents as referred to in 4.3.4. This review will, among other things, reflect the motion passed at Full Council in December 2022, requesting 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 ‘emergency remedial action notices’ at the soonest opportunity

b)       Outlining plans to display on the council website steps private renters can take regarding repairs requests and revenge eviction notices

2.5      Note the options and restrictions relating to a ‘Rogue Landlord database’. To approve further investigation of the establishment a ‘Rogue Landlord database’ in Brighton & Hove and report back to Housing Committee in March 2023 and will continue to work towards a zero-tolerance approach to rogue landlords as agreed by this committee.

2.6      Note activity during 2022/23 (to 30 November 2022) in relation to private sector housing enforcement.