Decision details

Cabinet

1.         Approved the preparation of the business case for the following property licensing schemes in the private rented housing sector and formal consultation in accordance with statutory requirements preceded by an informal consultation for a period of 4 weeks as follows:

(a)       Additional Licensing Schemes for landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as described in the proposal paper attached as Appendix 6 to the report;

(b)       A Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords of non-HMO privately rented residential accommodation in the selected locations set out in the proposal paper, attached as Appendix 7 to the report.

2.         Approved the fee structure for the Additional and Selective Licensing Schemes, as detailed in Appendix 2b of the report and Appendix 4 of each of the attached proposed consultation documents.  Appendix 2a to this report also sets out the expected operational costs of the proposed schemes but notes that the licence fee has currently been set to cover only the administration and associated costs of the licence application.  The Council continues to work on the licence fee model and will be considering alternative fee structures inclusive of costs under Section 63 (7) and Section 87 (7) of the Housing Act 2004 prior to the start of any formal consultation.

3.         Following completion of the informal consultation and consideration of matters raised, delegated authority on whether to progress either or both of the proposed schemes to formal consultation on proposed designation and the final form and content of the additional and selective licensing schemes themselves, including any changes to the fee structure, to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing.  It also noted that subject to the above the informal consultation may result in either or both of the proposed schemes not proceeding at this stage.