Agenda item

(a)  That authorisation be given to commence a consultation on a borough wide Additional Licensing Scheme.

(b)  That authorisation be given to commence a consultation on a Selective Licensing Scheme for the Central and Chalvey wards.

(c)  That the revised Mandatory HMO licensing fee structure be approved.

(d)  That the results of the consultations will be presented to Cabinet in early 2019 be noted.

The Lead Member for Corporate Finance & Housing introduced a report that proposed a series of measures intended to strengthen private rented property licensing.

The proposals included the commencement of a statutory consultation on the borough wide additional licensing scheme for all Houses of Multiple Occupation and a consultation on introducing a targeted selective licensing scheme for private rented single households in Central and Chalvey wards.  The licensing would ensure a more effective policy framework, give more protection for vulnerable tenants and provide private tenants in licensed properties more rights such as written tenancy agreements and greater protection against eviction.

Lead Members recognised that private rented accommodation was an important part of the mix of housing, and it was estimated there were 3,509 HMOs in Slough.  The Cabinet agreed that feedback from the pilot work had been positive and agreed that moving forward with the consultation would make further progress to strengthen the regulation of the private rented sector to improve protections and standards.

Speaking under Rule 30, Councillor Wright welcomed the consultation and asked how the Council would ensure it was carried out effectively.  The Housing Regulation Manager explained the approach that would be taken and highlighted that the Council had a duty to gather the views of tenants, landlords, agents and residents as part of the process.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the recommendations were agreed.

Resolved –

(a)  That authorisation be given to commence a consultation on a borough wide Additional Licensing Scheme.

(b)  That authorisation be given to commence a consultation on a Selective Licensing Scheme for the Central and Chalvey wards.

(c)  That the revised Mandatory HMO licensing fee structure be approved.

(d)  That it be noted that the results of the consultations would be presented to Cabinet in early 2019.