Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Private Sector Housing Manager presented the report on the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020.

Members were advised that in September 2017 the Cabinet approved the current policy. It required updating to reflect changes arising from amendments made in 2019 to The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015. These amendments came into effect on 1 April 2020.

The amended Regulations established a minimum standard of energy efficiency for privately rented property and made Local Authorities responsible for enforcing the minimum level of energy provision. It was an offence to let a property with an EPC score of F and G unless the landlord has registered an exemption on the national exemption register and created an offence relating to the provision of false or misleading information on the register. The revised policy provided details of how the penalty charge would be calculated in respect of offences.

Members discussed the register for rogue landlords and the potential for the use of banning orders.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to Cabinet that CAB42 be endorsed as follows:

(a)  That the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020 be adopted.

(b)  That the Head of Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services and the Head of Governance, be authorized to approve any future minor amendments to the policy.

(Councillor S C Manion declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Minute No. 40 (Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020) by reason of his being a private landlord and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor J Rose declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Minute No. 40 (Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020) by reason of his being a private landlord and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor R S Walkden declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Minute No. 40 (Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020) by reason of his being a private landlord and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services

It was agreed:

(a)  That the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2020 be adopted.

(b)  That the Head of Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services and the Head of Governance, be authorized to approve any future minor amendments to the policy.

(Councillor N S Kenton declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest by reason that he owned private rental properties and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)