Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services submits a presentation to update the Commission on the selective licensing scheme.

The Team Manager of Private Sector Housing and Area Environmental Health presented the item, and it was noted that:

·       The scheme was introduced in October 2022.

·       The areas of the city which had been selected for the selective licensing scheme were based on data showing which areas had poor housing conditions, significant levels of private rentals and rapid turnover.

·       Any rented properties in the areas identified had to apply for selective licensing. This meant submitting and paying for a licence to ensure the property was suitable and safe for tenants.

·       6 major metrics have been used to track progress. As of September 2024, there had been a shortfall in applications to reach the 85% target. There has been work to address this.

·       The scheme has just entered year 3 of the 5 years.

·       There were discounts initially for landlords, but this ended in spring 2024. The discounts created a flurry of activity but this slowed down. This meant the project has moved into the enforcement stage where the team has gone out to find the properties.

·       Applications have still been received that are not completed correctly so work has been done to help landlords with this.

·       A significant number of properties that have been inspected had at least 1 hazard.

·       Encouragingly, there were 1124 properties without any hazards.

·       The inspection covered 29 different categories of hazards.

·       Different initiatives have been introduced to see which are most effective for encouraging applications.

·       Following an inspection, landlords have been given the opportunity to correct the problems identified. An improvement notice has been served only if landlords fail to correct the problems. Only 10 improvement notices have been issued.

·       Focused work has been done with the police to serve 19 prohibition orders.

·       Prohibition orders have also been served where properties or rooms are not suitable for use or are uninhabitable.

·       16 investigations are still ongoing with evidence being gathered. Following this process the landlord is invited for an interview under caution. Some investigations have no further action, but it can be that a civil penalty up to £30,000 is issued or a prosecution is required.

·       Areas in the city that have been under the selective licensing scheme include Spinney, Stoneygate, Fosse, Westcotes, Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields and Saffron.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       In year 4 of the scheme, it will be reviewed to assess the impact it has had and then it will be decided how the scheme will look moving forward. This could change based on government changes to legislation such as the Renters Rights Bill.

·       The scheme has been self-funding. The licensing fee has been £1290 with no discounts. There was an 18-month opportunity to have a discounted rate.

·       This scheme has not considered rental costs, but other measures outside of selective licensing have done this.

·       This scheme has helped to address the power balance between landlords and tenants where tenants have been fearful of reporting concerns. This scheme has allowed the council to access properties that otherwise they would have no right to enter as private rentals.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.