Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report by the Director of Property & Housing is to formally review the current changes imposed by the Private Sector Housing Team for the mandatory and additional licensing schemes operating for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs); to review the current charges imposed due to enforcement action undertaken under Part 1, Housing Act 2004.

(A copy of the Preliminary Equality Impact Assessment will be made available)

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing approve the new fees for the Additional and Mandatory Licensing programs within Portsmouth and approve the new enforcement fees relating to Part 1, Housing Act 2004 as set out in appendix 1 and 2 of the report.

The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the new fees for the Additional and Mandatory Licensing programs within Portsmouth and approved the new enforcement fees relating to Part 1, Housing Act 2004 as set out in appendices 1 & 2 of the report.

Bruce Lomax, the Private Sector Housing Manager, presented the report on behalf of the Director of Property & Housing.  This is an annual report to set charges, which set out the revised charges (which were to off-set incurred costs without making a profit). The Landlords Association accredited members paid a reduced fee and there was close work with these landlords.

Bruce Lomax drew members' attention to the information contained in Appendix 3 which gave an overview of his team's work taking place with over 2700 licensed properties in the city, with 1109 proactive inspections having taken place and the number of complaints from private sector tenants had fallen (as categorised in Appendix 3).  There was also positive partnership work taking place with the police, fire service and in particular with the University of Portsmouth regarding dealing with anti-social behaviour of student tenants which was making a difference in local communities.

It was reported that the enforcement fees were rising for the first time since 2010.

The party spokespersons asked questions on the matrix used for setting the fees and supported the proposals and the work being undertaken and the reduction in the numbers of complaints.  Bruce Lomax reported that the fees for Portsmouth City council were cheaper than for Southampton City Council but that the work is undertaken in a different way with Portsmouth using in-house resources and Southampton uses sub-contractors.  Councillor Wemyss felt that this gave greater control and supported the proposed increase in fees.

DECISION: The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the new fees for the Additional and Mandatory Licensing programs within Portsmouth and approved the new enforcement fees relating to Part 1, Housing Act 2004 as set out in appendices 1 & 2 of the report.