Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to a report presented by the Housing & Environmental Enforcement Manager, seeking approval for the revised Housing Enforcement Policy and Revised Civil Penalties Policy in light of the introduction of the Renters Rights Act 2025. He explained that the Renters Rights Act (RRA) 2025 would come into effect on 1 May 2026. This was phase 1 of the implementation and would be followed by further phases of which the specific timescales were unknown. The RRA was the single biggest legislative change to the private rented sector to have ever been delivered and was aimed at giving renters much greater security and stability so they could stay in their home for longer, build lives in their communities and avoid the risk of homelessness.

Members heard there were around 8000 properties in the private rented sector within West Lindsey and the report sought to gain approval for a revised Housing Enforcement Policy, including the provisions which would enable the Council to carry out its statutory duties as set out in the Act. Members were provided with an overview of the measures within the Act and how these would impact on those in the private rented sector.

Members were also advised of the additional information which had been circulated, and the recommendation that the new burdens allocation from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to the Renters Rights Act implementation of £88k, be authorised for spend on a staffing resource to contribute to the Council’s response to the additional requirements of the Act.

Councillor I. Fleetwood declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a landlord, but not within the district.

Members engaged in significant debate regarding the potential benefits and pitfalls of the RRA, including the risk of losing ‘small portfolio’ landlords, and therefore leaving the market open to only large developers and businesses. It was explained that anecdotally, it did appear that single property landlords were choosing to leave the sector, however it would take some time for the full impact to materialise.

Members discussed the balance between enforcement actions versus working proactively with landlords to affect change, to which it was confirmed that dialogue and education was used primarily, with enforcement action following should there be no sign of improvements. In response to a query regarding the social housing sector, it was confirmed the RRA would not cover those properties, and the sector had its own regulator and requirements under law.

With regard to the request for approval to be given for the employment of an additional staff member, Members were keen that the resource be available as a matter of urgency, and sought advice from the Democratic Services Officer in terms of the correct way to expedite such a decision. Members were advised that they could recommend an urgent delegated decision be taken by the Head of Paid Service, following consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Chairman of the Committee, should they be minded to do so. Having debated the specifics of the role, Members proposed the suggested amendment, and it was duly seconded. On taking the vote, it was

RESOLVED that the additional recommendation be amended to enable an expedited decision to be made by way of urgent delegated decision by the Head of Paid Service, following consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Chairman of the Committee.

With no further comments, questions, or points of debate, the Chairman read aloud the written recommendations with the amendment as carried above.

Having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the revised Housing Enforcement Policy be approved; and

b)    the revised Civil Penalties Policy be approved; and

c)    an update on progress be provided to the relevant policy committee before the end of the 2026/27 financial year; and

d)    Members of the Prosperous Communities Committee approve and recommend via an urgent delegated decision by the Head of Paid Service, subject to consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Chairman of this Committee, that the new burdens allocation from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to the Renters Rights Act implementation of £88k, be authorised for spend on a staffing resource to contribute to the Council’s response to the additional requirements of the Act