Decision details

Purpose of the Report: To update on the Additional Licensing Programme for Houses in Multiple Occupation. It will seek approval to further support tenants in unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation to meet our ambition of increasing the quality and standard of private rented houses in the city.

The Executive Member will be asked to support a proposal to further support residents in unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Resolved:

     i.        That the creation of a partnership with Justice for Tenants (JFT), who could provide support and advice to private residential be supported, including applying for rent repayment orders, through the signing of a Service Level Agreement and Data Sharing Agreement between the Council and JFT.

    ii.        That authority be delegated to the Director of Housing Economy and (and their delegated officers), in consultation with the Director of Governance (and their delegated officers), to negotiate the provisions, and conclude the entry into the proposed Service Level Agreement and Data Sharing Agreement with JFT.

Reason: The proposed partnership will assist the Council in bringing private sector properties, and in particular properties which are subject to additional HMO licensing requirements, into compliance with legislation by encouraging tenants to report properties which are non-compliant to the Healthy and Sustainable Homes team to investigate and take appropriate action to resolve.