Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              the new Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-31 at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, to take effect from 15 April 2026; and

b)              the Director – Neighbourhood be granted delegated authority to make minor changes to the adopted Policy to comply with legislation, guidance and good practice.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Upton, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods, which detailed the updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-2031.  

Councillor Upton stated that Cabinet was asked to consider and approve the adoption of a new Policy, to ensure compliance with the Renters Rights Act 2025, which would come into force on 1 May 2026, with details of the Policy outlined in Appendix 1 to the report. Councillor Upton referred to the changes to private rented sector tenancies, which would come into force from 1 May, as detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report. The Policy gave information on how the Council intended to enforce compliance with the legislation, including housing conditions in Private Sector and Registered Provider properties, and landlords’ obligations in the Private Rented Sector. Councillor Upton confirmed that the updated Policy retained all the existing Housing Act 2004, licensing, public health and environmental health enforcement processes from the version approved in 2024 and it remained part of the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy.  

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis welcomed this report for the benefits it brought to tenants, with new powers afforded to officers and landlord responsibilities, in advance of the Renters Rights Act coming into force. He stated that whilst the majority of landlords were responsible, Councillors were all aware of tenants’ complaints related to rented accommodation and factors negatively affecting their quality of life and health. The Policy addressed many of those issues and detailed how they would be managed and enforced where necessary. He felt that it was essential that the Policy was adopted to align with the new legislation coming into effect on 1 May 2026.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              the new Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-31 at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, to take effect from 15 April 2026; and

b)              the Director – Neighbourhood be granted delegated authority to make minor changes to the adopted Policy to comply with legislation, guidance and good practice.