Agenda item

The Service Lead Neighbourhood Services introduced a report that provided an overview of Themes 2 (Private Sector) and 3 (Council Homes) of the Housing Strategy to identify areas for further review.

The report set out the actions the Council was taking and planned to take which included strengthening the Housing Regulation Team and a process to issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 on ‘rogue’ landlords.  In terms of Council stock, investment of £100m in existing homes was planned over the next seven years, a new repairs and maintenance contractor was in place and an Options Appraisal was underway on the long term options for the management of Council housing.  It was agreed that further details regarding the Options Appraisal would be circulated to the Committee.

Members discussed the measures the Council was taking against rogue landlords and increase enforcement in the private rented sector.  The Committee supported a proactive approach being taken against rogue landlords and requested statistics for the number of civil penalties issued in over the past five years.  The issues relating to the large number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) was discussed and Officers confirmed that preparatory work had taken place to introduce a borough wide licensing scheme for HMOs to seek to improve standards for residents.  It was anticipated that a report seeking approval to introduce a licensing scheme would be considered by the Cabinet in September 2018. 

Members asked a number of other questions including measures to tackle illegal sub-letting of Council homes and it was responded that the fraud team had secured a number of successful prosecutions.

At the conclusion of the discussion the report was noted.

Resolved –  That details of the report be noted.