Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval of the BCP Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy in order for consistent regulation of housing conditions in the private rented sector be applied across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

There is a significant amount of legislation to support the regulation of housing conditions, which authorised officers can apply and enforce to ensure compliance and safeguard private sector housing tenants. This policy details the legislation and its application across BCP to include the decision process for formal and informal enforcement, risk assessments and relevant financial penalties.

The Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy details the service and approach that the public and relevant parties should expect from the Council and what the Council expects from those with an interest in private rented accommodation. It details liability and the expected standards.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet approval was sought of the BCP Council Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy in order to enable consistent regulation of housing conditions in the private rented sector to be applied across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Housing highlighted the need for there to be a consistent approach across the BCP Council area, and advised that this would be reviewed in two years time.

A Councillor present at the meeting expressed the view that the report ought to be renamed Housing Enforcement Policy as the background implied that it was an all-encompassing report rather than just the private sector, and that the policy should include all housing. In addition the view was expressed that the vast majority of tenants were happy.

Cabinet discussed the report highlighting the need to harmonise policies, and agreed that section 1 of the report should make reference to say that the majority of tenants are content, and that the majority of our landlords look after tenants. In addition Members felt that the service should be proactively promoted and tenants signposted to the service.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that the report dealt with Private Sector Housing as there were other measures in place to monitor BCP Housing.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the adoption of the BCP Council Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy for immediate implementation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing

The Portfolio Holder for Housing presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet approval was sought of the BCP Council Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy in order to enable consistent regulation of housing conditions in the private rented sector to be applied across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Housing highlighted the need for there to be a consistent approach across the BCP Council area, and advised that this would be reviewed in two years time.

A Councillor present at the meeting expressed the view that the report ought to be renamed Housing Enforcement Policy as the background implied that it was an all-encompassing report rather than just the private sector, and that the policy should include all housing. In addition the view was expressed that the vast majority of tenants were happy.

Cabinet discussed the report highlighting the need to harmonise policies, and agreed that section 1 of the report should make reference to say that the majority of tenants are content, and that the majority of our landlords look after tenants. In addition Members felt that the service should be proactively promoted and tenants signposted to the service.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that the report dealt with Private Sector Housing as there were other measures in place to monitor BCP Housing.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the adoption of the BCP Council Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy for immediate implementation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing