Decision details

To agree the adoption of a new Housing Standards Enforcement Policy & Statement of Principles for Determining Financial Penalties to account for legislative changes being enacted under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

That:

(a)  the Housing Standards and Tenants Rights Enforcement Policy 2026 be approved and adopted.

(b)  delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, in consultation with the Interim/Corporate Director for Housing and Community Safety, to make minor changes to the Housing Standards and Tenants Rights Enforcement Policy 2026 including

                          i.    the need to amend the policy to account for known future enactments which form part of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 implementation of the Renters Rights Act 2025; and,

                        ii.    approval of operational procedure notes including but not limited toa methodology for determining the amount of Civil Financial Penalties under this policy for breaches of up to £7,000 and offences of up to £40,000.

(c)  updates on the financial arrangements be made available on a monthly basis to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the People and Health Overview Committee.

(d)  an update on the policy be provided to an Overview Committee at an appropriate time within the first year of its operation.

Reason for the decision

To ensure that the Council had a robust and legally compliant enforcement policy which enabled the effective enforcement of the Housing Act 2004, Renters Rights Act 2025, the ‘Landlord Legislation’ and other relevant statutory provisions affecting enforcement in the Private Rented Sector, which would be maintained ‘up to date’ as new known legal provisions were enacted.