Purpose

To recommend to Council the updated Housing
Standards Enforcement Policy for adoption.

Content

The Executive REcommended to Council

That  (i)   
the changes to the Housing
Standards Enforcement Policy in respect of private rented sector
accommodation, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be
approved;

         
(ii)   the
new Housing Standards Civil Penalty
Notice Policy in respect of private rented sector accommodation, as
set out in the Appendix 2 to the report, be approved and
adopted;

         
(iii)  delegated
authority be given to the Strategic Director - Place, in consultation with
the Portfolio Holder, to approve minor modifications and updates to
the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and the Housing Standards
Civil Penalty Notice (CPN) Policy;

         
(iv)  delegated
authority be given to the Strategic Director - Place, in consultation with
the Portfolio Holder, to agree the inclusion of new legislation and
duties relevant to Private Sector Housing imposed on the Council by
the Government in the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and the
Housing Standards Civil Penalty Notice (CPN) Policy;
and

         
(v)   the
above recommendations, if approved, will be
implemented from the 27 September 2024.

Reason:  
To set a clear, consistent, proportionate and
transparent approach to the enforcement of Housing Standards
legislation and to enable minor amendments and the inclusion of new
legislation and case law to be adopted expediently going
forward.