Issue - meetings

Recommendations:

In order to improve housing standards across all housing tenures, but in particular ensuring all privately rented accommodation is well managed, properly maintained, safe and habitable, and relevant enforcement action can be taken, it is recommended that the following are adopted and approved for use across the county:

(i)             the Housing Standards enforcement policy, included at Appendix A.

(ii)            the Electrical Safety Regulations Financial Penalties policy, as detailed in Appendix B of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(iii)           the Civil Penalties policy, as detailed in Appendix C of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(iv)           the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards policy, as detailed in Appendix D of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(v)            the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations policy, as detailed in Appendix E of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(vi)           the Rent Repayments Orders policy, as detailed in Appendix F of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(vii)          the approach to fees and charges and penalties where enforcement action is needed, as detailed in Appendix G of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

It is also recommended for approval, that minor alterations can be made to the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy by the Assistant Director of Housing in consultation with the portfolio holder.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Community Development presenting the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy for adoption, which included a number of further policies at appendices B to F.  This suite of enforcement policies would ensure that all private housing standards were dealt with consistently and that the Housing standards team could utilise all of the relevant statutory duties and powers.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing introduced the report and advised that the new policy brought together best practice from across the county to ensure that the Council fulfilled its duties as statutory housing authority and enforced housing standards in the private rental sector. 

Resolved (unanimously) – that:

1.               in order to improve housing standards across all housing tenures, but in particular ensuring all privately rented accommodation is well managed, properly maintained, safe and habitable, and relevant enforcement action can be taken, the following are adopted and approved for use across the county:

(i)       the Housing Standards Enforcement policy, included at Appendix A.

(ii)       the Electrical Safety Regulations Financial Penalties policy, as detailed in Appendix B of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(iii)     the Civil Penalties policy, as detailed in Appendix C of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(iv)     the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards policy, as detailed in Appendix D of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(v)      the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations policy, as detailed in Appendix E of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(vi)     the Rent Repayments Orders policy, as detailed in Appendix F of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

(vii)   the approach to fees and charges and penalties where enforcement action is needed, as detailed in Appendix G of the Housing Standards enforcement policy.

2.               delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director of Housing in consultation with the portfolio holder to make minor alterations to the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy.