Cabinet:

1.            Agreed the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy in Appendix 1.

2.            Delegated to the Director of Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing powers to make any minor amendments to the enforcement policy.

Councillor Damian White, Cabinet Member for Housing and Deputy Leader of the Council, introduced the report

In October 2017, Cabinet agreed an Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation. To support related enforcement of the scheme a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy is required which has regard to the Regulator’s Code (Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006).

Reasons for the decision:

To assist the Council’s enforcement action and statutory obligations under The Housing and Planning Act 2016, The Housing Act 2004 and other associated public health legislation to support the operation of the borough’s Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Other options considered:

To not have an enforcement policy in place could lead to both an inconsistent approach to enforcement decisions and leave the authority open to legal challenge.

Cabinet:

1.            Agreed the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.            Delegated to the Director of Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing powers to make any minor amendments to the enforcement policy.