The Camden Town District Management Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 24 June 2026 to discuss a range of housing and estate management issues. Key topics include the enforcement of short-term letting regulations, updates on the voids programme, and a review of the District Management Committee (DMC) funding and bidding process.

Short-Term Letting Enforcement

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding the regulatory framework and enforcement challenges surrounding short-term lettings (STLs) in Camden. The report highlights the impact of the Deregulation Act 2015 on planning controls and outlines the Council's approach to tackling STLs, including those in Council-owned properties. It notes that an estimated 7,516 entire properties in Camden are used for STLs, significantly impacting the availability of long-term housing. The report also mentions the upcoming mandatory national registration scheme for STLs in England and the government's intention to introduce a new planning use class for properties used for more than 90 nights a year.

Voids Update Report

The committee will receive an update on the voids programme, which addresses properties that are currently unoccupied. The report includes performance data and comparisons, aiming to respond to queries and recent discussions with officers. As of 26 May 2026, there were 356 active voids across Camden, with 48 of these in the Camden Town district. The report also breaks down void properties by the number of bedrooms and provides details on properties being held for various reasons, such as the Chalcots estate, the Family Friendly Programme, and legal cases. Information on void repair costs for 2025/26 is also presented, detailing average costs for routine, minor, and major repairs.

Refreshed DMC Funding & Bidding Process

A discussion is planned regarding a refreshed process for bidding for DMC funding. This initiative has been developed in collaboration with officers and DMC Chairs, aiming to refine the application process. Key changes include separate Terms of Reference (TOR) and Bidding Guidance documents, with the TOR outlining formal rules and requirements, and the Guidance offering plain English instructions. The refreshed process also encourages partnership working with Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) organisations. The TOR details eligible parties for bidding, which include Tenants' and Residents' Associations (TRAs), the Camden Association of Street Properties (CASP), Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs), and council officers acting on behalf of residents.

Camden Town DMC Budget

The committee will consider the Camden Town DMC budget for 2026/2027. The report details the budget allocation, progress on approved bids, and any new bids submitted for consideration. The total budget for minor and major revenue works for 2026/2027 is £161,650.00. As of the report's preparation, £3,905.00 had been spent on approved bids, leaving a balance of £157,745.00 available. Two new bids are tabled for consideration: one from Goldington Street TRA for Gerda Locks totalling £8,870.00, and another from Walker House TRA for gazebo refurbishment costing £6,919.92.

Awaab's Law - Phase 1 & 2 Progress Report

An update will be provided on Camden's delivery against Awaab's Law, covering Phase 1 implementation (from October 2025) and Phase 2 readiness. Phase 1, focusing on damp and mould hazards, is reported to be stable and largely compliant, with full compliance achieved across most statutory Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). However, performance challenges remain in emergency response times and significant hazard investigations, primarily due to resident no-access issues. Phase 2 will broaden the scope to include a wider range of housing hazards, requiring a more comprehensive, risk-based compliance framework.

Housing Investment Strategy Update

The committee will receive updates on the delivery of the Council's Housing Asset Management Strategy (AMS) at the end of the 2025/26 financial year. The AMS, approved in January 2025, outlines the Council's approach to investing in its current social housing stock, with a plan to invest £670 million over five years. The report details capital investment programmes, including progress on fire risk actions, the Decent Homes standard, and investments in mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems. It also provides updates on the Quality Homes, Family Friendly, and Acquisition Programmes.

Fly Tipping Enforcement on Estates and Public Realm

This report outlines the roles and responsibilities of Community Safety Officers (CSOs) in tackling issues such as fly-tipping. It details how enforcement action is undertaken, the types of fines available, and the annual level of fines raised. Between 1 June 2025 and 1 June 2026, the team issued 427 environmental enforcement Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs)/notices in the Camden ward area, including cases related to fly-tipping and duty of care for waste. The report suggests a reduction in residential fly-tipping cases may indicate that enforcement interventions are influencing behaviour.

Tenancy Visiting Programme

An update will be provided on the Tenancy Visiting Programme, which aims to prevent and tackle tenancy fraud and support residents in sustaining their tenancies. The programme involves regular visits to tenants' homes. For the 2025/26 period, 1,136 tenancy visits were completed. The report details the priorities for these visits, including issues such as overcrowding, non-occupation, and subletting. For the 2026/27 programme, approximately 4,600 cases have been uploaded to the case management system, with a data-led approach being adopted to cross-reference visiting programmes with data on high-risk properties.

Housing Investigations

The committee will receive an update on the work of the Housing Investigations team (HIT). This team works to ensure that individuals living in council homes or applying to buy them are entitled to do so, investigating tenancy fraud and related breaches. In the 2025 to 2026 period, 55 homes were recovered due to ineligible succession or assignment applications, right to buy requests, unauthorised occupancy, and non-occupation. The report also highlights the financial impact of tenancy fraud, estimating a significant loss of rental income for the Council.

Annual Housing and Property Participation Diversity Report (2025-2026)

This report provides an overview of resident diversity in Housing and Property engagement. It compares data from a diversity monitoring survey and participation event registration forms with the 2021 Census to assess the representativeness of the active resident network. Key findings indicate strong representation from LGBTQ+ and disabled residents, but underrepresentation of younger residents (aged 16-34), and certain religious groups. Ethnic diversity is also noted as low, with White British and White Other groups being overrepresented. The report identifies significant intersectional gaps, particularly for younger LGBTQ+ residents and disabled residents of colour.

Engagement Report

This report provides a quarterly update on engagement activities within the Camden Town District from March to June 2026. Priorities over the last quarter included ensuring B-listed TRAs held their Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and planning the Camden Town Action Day, which was attended by over 150 residents. The report highlights challenges, such as the time demand from TRAs for officer support. Plans for the next quarter include reaching out to residents in areas with inactive TRAs and establishing new TRAs.

Tenant Engagement Report Quarter 1 2026/7

This report shares insights and recommendations from the quarterly monitoring of tenant engagement activities and forums supported by Housing and Property Services. It covers engagement events, resident feedback, learning courses, and applications to the Special Projects Grant and the District Management Committee Fund. The report highlights the success of Neighbourhood Action Days, with the Camden Town event on 21 May attended by over 150 residents. Feedback from residents was overwhelmingly positive, valuing the opportunity to connect with services and each other. Areas for improvement include meeting length, pacing, and ensuring follow-through on resident input.

The meeting will also consider the DMC's Constitution and Code of Conduct documents, review the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 March 2026, and consider the Camden Town DMC Action Point Update. Elections for the DMC Chair and Vice-Chair(s) for 2026/27 are also scheduled.