Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report by the Head of Corporate Assets & Property Services is:

(i)            To appraise the Cabinet Member for Housing on the implications of the  Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management     Work (Requirement to belong to a Scheme etc.) (England) Order 2014.

(ii)          To seek approval from the Cabinet Member for Housing that the Private Sector Housing Team undertake proactive enforcement in respect of the Order.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)  Approves that the enforcement of this legislation is undertaken proactively by the Private Sector Housing Team (and the income generated from any fines imposed is kept within the Housing Standards budget).

(2)  Gives delegated authority to the Head of Corporate Assets, Business and Standards to review level of fine imposed dependent on circumstances and representation.

(3)  Authorises engagement with neighbouring authorities to discuss the manner in which they will be addressing enforcement of this legislation.

DECISIONS the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)  Approved that the enforcement of this legislation is undertaken proactively by the Private Sector Housing Team (and the income generated from any fines imposed is kept within the Housing Standards budget).

(2)  Gave delegated authority to the Head of Corporate Assets, Business and Standards to review level of fine imposed dependent on circumstances and representation.

(3)  Authorised engagement with neighbouring authorities to discuss the manner in which they will be addressing enforcement of this legislation.

Alan Cufley and Bruce Lomax introduced the report by the Head of Corporate Assets, Business and Standards, which would help tenants to complain about the bad service of letting and managing agents (of which there were over 90 in the city).  The agents would be able to use the appeal process if they met the 3 grounds of appeal within 28 days of service of the notice.

Councillor Darren Sanders spoke in support of the proposal and asked which neighbouring Local Authorities would be engaged with; in response it was reported that this was still to be decided.

DECISIONS the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)  Approved that the enforcement of this legislation is undertaken proactively by the Private Sector Housing Team (and the income generated from any fines imposed is kept within the Housing Standards budget).

(2)  Gave delegated authority to the Head of Corporate Assets, Business and Standards to review level of fine imposed dependent on circumstances and representation.

(3)  Authorised engagement with neighbouring authorities to discuss the manner in which they will be addressing enforcement of this legislation.