Decision details

To present and seek approval for the updated policy.

The Committee considered the revised Housing Enforcement Policy.

Challenging poor quality housing was a priority in the Housing Strategy 2018-2023, with regulation and enforcement being key activities in ensuring that landlords provided good quality, safe accommodation that was well managed.

The proposed changes to the Housing Enforcement Policy included:

• setting out what good accommodation looked like
• publishing service standards
• providing clarity about enforcement considerations
• providing clear guidance to the public about how civil penalties were calculate for Housing Act 2004 offences, minimum energy efficiency standards and electrical safety standards
• setting out the considerations for applying for a banning order against landlords.

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED:   

1          to approve the amendments to the revised Housing Enforcement Policy be approved ; and

2          to authorise the Director of Growth and Enterprise, in consultation with the Chair of the Economy and Growth Committee, to make further amendments to the Policy to ensure ongoing compliance with the law and guidance from the Government.