Agenda item - Private Rented Sector Selective Licensing Update

Report of Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

(1)            That the Housing & New Homes Committee note the contents of the report and request a report be brought back to Housing & New Homes Committee detailing future options for selective licensing.

71.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which reminded members that proposals to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme in 12 wards in the city received cross party support from the Committee in November 2017. The scheme aimed to improve management and housing conditions across the private rented sector. An application was made to the Secretary of State to confirm a designation for selective licensing on the grounds of poor property conditions and anti-social behaviour. The Secretary of State declined to grant the council’s application in relation to anti-social behaviour. Officers still believed the scheme was the best way to improve management and housing conditions across the city’s private rented sector. Given the withdrawal of Secretary of State’s approval officers proposed to reconsider the extent and scope of any future Selective Licensing Scheme and report back to Committee on proposals at the earliest opportunity. The report was presented by the Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager.

71.2   Councillor Mears stated that she did not agree with the recommendations. She referred to the financial implications in paragraph 7.1 regarding one-off costs.  Councillor Mears was concerned with paragraph 3.7 as the HRA would be paying for a private sector stock condition survey.  She asked if and when there had been consultation on this issue. The Assistant Director, Housing explained that the HRA Stock Condition Survey was agreed by members as part of the budget setting process. Officers had sought to improve some of the qualitative data and as part of the stock condition process ask for expressions of interest in possible prices to look at private sector stock at the same time. Officers had not got a price back but the indicative financial comments stated that the cost would be covered by the Housing General Fund under the TBM process. Councillor Mears stated that she wished to see in writing that the money would not be coming out of the HRA. 

71.3   Councillor Page referred to paragraphs 3.2 to 3.4 in the report and asked if the Government had given any technical specific reasons why the scheme was no longer approved. The Assistant Director, Housing explained that the report outlined that officers felt it was more productive and cost effective to look at how the council might make any information it had more robust. If the Council did ask for a judicial review of the Government’s decision there would be no guarantee that the decision would be changed in the Council’s favour.  Officers would review options and report back to the committee. 

71.4   The Chair asked if officers were sure that the action to be taken would be approved by the Government. The Assistant Director, Housing replied that the Government had withdrawn consent. Officers considered that the Government should have looked at anti- social behaviour. Officers wished to work with members and the Government to achieve the scheme required.

71.5   Councillor Moonan raised the issue of the sample.  She assumed that this would be representative of all areas of the city, and all types of housing tenure. Councillor Moonan was keen to have a stock condition survey of the private rented sector. She stressed how fundamental housing was to the health and wellbeing of a family.  A great deal of housing was in a shocking condition. Without stronger national legislation the council needed to use all the levers possible to improve the stock in the city.

71.6   Councillor Gibson made the point that the scheme was not funded by the HRA. He echoed Councillor Moonan’s comments. He considered that a stock condition survey was essential. The council would then be able to discriminate between different types of property and quantify differences in accommodation. Councillor Gibson stated that he would like to see a report back to committee. 

71.7   The Chair stated that it should be recorded that there was a desire to see a report back as soon as possible.

71.8   RESOLVED:-

(1)      That the Housing & New Homes Committee note the contents of the report and request a report be brought back to Housing & New Homes Committee detailing future options for selective licensing.