The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting Southend on Sea City Council’s Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2023 (PRSHEP 2023) for adoption following the public consultation.

Resolved:

1. That the consultation summary, set out at Appendix 2, to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2023, set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

3. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment), in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing and Public Protection, to make minor modifications and updates to the Policy as required.

Reasons for Decision:

1. To ensure that all landlords and managing agents renting out accommodation in the private rented sector are dealt with in a fair, transparent and consistent manner.

2. To target the Council’s resources to the areas of greatest demand whilst ensuring that statutory responsibilities are still met with respect to other tenure groups.

3. To strengthen the enforcement response by formally enforcing against substantial Category 2 hazards.

4. To set out how the Council intends to apply penalties under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (‘the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations.

5. To publish a statement of principle, so as to apply the financial penalties under the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015

Other Options

1. To adopt the Policy in part rather than in full.  The Policy is written in such a way that it targets the Council’s resources to the areas of greatest demand whilst ensuring that statutory responsibilities are still met with respect to other tenure groups.  In addition, it clearly sets out how the Council will exercise its power to deal with significant Category 2 hazards, which includes threats from uncontrolled fire (and smoke), which seeks to protect tenants.  There is a risk that part adoption of the Policy will dilute the full effects and have an impact on Regulatory Service’s ability to deliver, and ultimately protect those in greatest need.

2. Not to adopt the Policy.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Members: Cllr Gilbert and Cllr Terry