The Housing Select Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The meeting will include an update on the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act and a review of the committee's work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

Renters' Rights Act - One Month Implementation Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the preparedness and initial impact of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which began its phased implementation on 1 May 2026. The report outlines the Housing Directorate's readiness, focusing on the Housing Needs and Private Rented Sector (PRS) Licensing and Enforcement services. Preparations have included staff training, recruitment, and policy reviews. The report indicates that the council is well-positioned to manage the changes brought by the Act, with officers possessing the necessary skills and experience. Since the Act's initial phase, the council has seen residents approach with eviction notices under new grounds, invalid Section 21 Notices, and reports of tenant discrimination.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is described as a significant reform to the private rented sector, aiming to improve tenant security, raise housing standards, and strengthen enforcement. Phase 1 of the Act, which commenced in May 2026, includes the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, the introduction of assured periodic tenancies, and reforms to possession grounds. It also limits rent increases to once per year, bans rental bidding, and prohibits discrimination against renters with children or those receiving benefits. Enhanced PRS enforcement powers for local authorities are also part of this phase.

The report details extensive staff training undertaken by both the Housing Needs and PRS Licensing and Enforcement services, including sessions from specialist providers like Southwark Law Centre and Shelter. Customer journey flowcharts, clear guidance, and increased managerial oversight are in place to support frontline staff. The council has also received New Burdens funding to support these changes, which will be used for enhanced communication, recruitment, and IT system updates. The report suggests that Lewisham's services feel they are at a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 for readiness, indicating a high level of preparedness compared to the national average.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee is scheduled to review and confirm its draft work programme for the 2026-27 municipal year. This programme outlines the committee's proposed priorities and scrutiny areas for the year ahead. The role of the Select Committee is to develop an annual work programme to focus its efforts on areas where it can add value, hold decision-makers to account, and contribute to policy development. The process for developing the work programme involves gathering suggestions from members, officers, partners, and residents, and prioritising issues that are timely, relevant, and proportionate. The work programme will be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for approval and will be kept under review throughout the year.

The draft work programme includes several key areas for scrutiny, including:

• Renters' Rights Act: To consider the implications of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for residents, landlords, and the council, focusing on how the legislation will reform the private rented sector.
• Awaab's Law (Damp & Mould): Performance monitoring related to damp and mould issues.
• Learning from Complaints: Reviewing complaints performance and how this informs the council's preparation for inspection.
• Pre-Decision Budget Proposals: Providing pre-decision scrutiny of the council's draft budget proposals.
• Asset Management & Major Works: Examining the condition of council housing stock, investment priorities, and the Capital Programme.
• Landlord Performance & TSM: Reporting on performance as a local authority landlord and preparation for inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing.
• Licensing Update, Private Rented Sector: An update on licensing schemes, including a proposal to renew the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme.
• Temporary Accommodation & Homelessness: Developing a new Homelessness Strategy, focusing on prevention, reducing the use of temporary accommodation, and supporting children in temporary accommodation.
• Empty Homes: Scrutiny of the council's approach to empty homes.

The draft programme also includes watching brief items for topics that are suggested but not currently in the core programme, or which should be kept under review. These include the Brockley PFI arrangements and the Housing Allocation Policy.

Confirmation of Start Time for Committee

The committee is scheduled to agree its usual meeting start time for the municipal year 2026/27. This decision will be reflected in the meeting arrangements for the year ahead, subject to any changes required by the Proper Officer in consultation with the Chair.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the committee are asked to declare any personal interests they may have in any item on the agenda. The report outlines the different types of interests, including disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests, and the procedures for declaring and managing such interests during meetings. Failure to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee is scheduled to confirm the minutes of its previous meeting, held on 5 March 2026, as an accurate record.